By Gabriela Baron
The Department of Education (DepEd) said it will implement a “zero tolerance policy” on the alleged bullying by a teacher during the first day of classes on Monday, Aug. 22.
This after a picture of a handwritten note of the alleged conversation between a Grade 5 student and her teacher made the rounds on social media recently.
The handwritten note included derogatory words like “hayop (animal), bruha (witch)” which were allegedly said by the student’s teacher after she had a hard time finishing their writing activity.
“DepEd has a zero tolerance policy against any form of abuse, and explained the courses of action to be taken against the subject teacher,” DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa said.
Poa said school division office officials already met with the student’s parents on Tuesday, Aug. 23, and directed the school head to submit an incident report, along with the Child Protection Policy Intake Sheet to the regional director within 72 hours from the occurrence of the incident.
“Psychological first aid was immediately given to the learner by trained personnel from the school health section. Psychosocial status of the learner will be monitored,” Poa added.
“The teacher po will be subjected to administrative proceedings in accordance with our rules.”
Poa stressed that the Education department “takes these incidents very seriously.”
–ag