THE Department of Education (DepEd) Calabarzon has issued an order directing a fact-finding team to investigate the death of a fifth grader allegedly slapped by his teacher in Antipolo City.
The City Schools Division Office of Antipolo said an investigation is ongoing into the death of 14-year-old Francis Jay Gumikib, a student of Peñafrancia Elementary School in Mayamot, Antipolo City.
The victim died 11 days after his teacher allegedly hurt him inside the classroom.
According to the SDO Antipolo, it has formed another team that will provide interventions for learners and teachers.
“As the Disciplining Authority, the Office of the Regional Director has issued an order designating a Fact-Finding Investigation Team and directing the committee to conduct immediate, cautious, and comprehensive fact-finding investigation in recognition of the right of both parties to be heard as part of due process,” the statement read.
“DepEd Antipolo has formed a team of selected Registered Guidance Counselors, School Health Nutrition Unit (SHNU) Representatives, Youth Formation Development (YFD) Coordinators, EPS in Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao, Child Protection Specialist and Focal Person to help and assist with the possible interventions like reorientation on Child Protection Policy of all concerned stakeholders, and debriefing of concerned learners and teachers,” it added.
The SDO Antipolo said the school principal has assigned an alternate teacher to handle the classes of the concerned teacher who is currently on official leave.
“We are saddened by the death of our dear learner and we express our deepest condolences and prayers to the bereaved family. Rest assured that the Department recognizes the best interests of our learners as primordial consideration,” the official statement said.
According to Elena Gumikib, FJ’s mother, her son told her that his teacher pulled his hair and slapped him after reporting about his noisy classmates on September 20.
Her son felt pain on his ear and dizziness after the incident but still managed to continue going to school.
On Sept. 26, FJ started to vomit while experiencing headache and dizziness, which prompted his parents to rush him to the hospital.
The victim died on October 2, which according to doctor was due to brain hemorrhage,
