Town mayor aids pupils in complaint vs teacher

CEBU, Philippines - Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez is stepping into the problem between the pupils in a public school in the town and their parents against a public school teacher accused of several wrongdoings.

Ramirez vowed to support the parents and the pupils, promising to go to the Education Secretary or even  Malacañang, if the Department of Education – Cebu Province will not act on the complaint.

Yesterday, 11 grade five pupils under Curva Elementary School teacher Jeremias Pino complained to Ramirez that they were made to stand under the heat of the sun by their teacher.

“Gibuwad sila sa init kay nasuko ang ilang maestro unya gipasanginlan sila nga nangawat ug kwarta para musulti ug bakak,” said the mayor.

Last week, at least eight parents of pupils at Curva Elementary School went to the DepEd – Cebu Province to report Pino’s alleged abuses.

The parents accused Pino of inflicting physical harm on his pupils and collecting unauthorized contributions, among others.

DepEd-Cebu Province schools superintendent Arden Monisit formed a team last week to investigate the accusations lodged against Pino.

“I hope DepEd will sanction this teacher og dili gyud mo act ang DepEd ani then, I will personally help the parents to file criminal action against him. I will go to the DepEd Secretary and ask for his ouster and if dili pa gyud, on my bended knees adto ko sa Malacañang magpatabang aron matangtang gyud na siya,” said Ramirez.

Ramirez said that as early as March, he strongly opposed moves for Pino to become the school principal amidst numerous complaints he received from parents and teachers.

The Freeman tried to contact Pino several times to get his comment but he did not answer our calls.

“This is DepEd’s call but until now wala sila’y gihimo against the teacher,” the mayor further said.

Ramirez added that DepEd should immediately act on this complaint before everything will be blown out of proportion.

The Freeman also called up Monisit to check on the progress of  the investigation but he was not available for comment as of press time. — /QSB (FREEMAN)