Capitol to help ‘abused’ pupils

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol  vowed to help the family of the two pupils who were allegedly physically abused by a teacher of Basak Elementary School in Badian town.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said that, as promised, they are going to transfer the two pupils to another school.

Magpale told the media that they are bound to help as long as there is complainant.

She, likewise, said that they had asked the police for protection to the woman who helped the students. The woman claimed that she was being harassed.

Magpale added that there will be a temporary dwelling place for the parents as requested by them.

A grade five and a grade six pupil, together with their parents, earlier sought the help of Magpale who heads the Provincial Commission for the Welfare of Children (PCWC), accusing Jefferson Gornes, a grade six school teacher, of physical abuse.

The students alleged that Gornes, who is now facing a complaint for a violation of Republic Act 7610 otherwise known as Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office, beat them using a wire.

The FREEMAN withheld the names of the complainants to protect their identities.

Gornes had admitted that he slightly whipped the pupils using an electrical wire to discipline them.

He said he also apologized to the students and their parents before the principal during a general meeting last year but was surprised upon learning that the two students together with their parents sought the help of Magpale.

Magpale said that she didn’t know about the settlement.

“I don’t know the settlement, the fact that the parents came, we convene the technical group and we found there is a probable cause,” she said. (FREEMAN)