10-10-2023 (MANILA) The Department of Education (DepEd) has taken a decisive step in response to the tragic death of a Grade 5 student by announcing a 90-day suspension for the teacher accused of slapping the student, who later passed away. This suspension has been put in place as a preventive measure during the ongoing investigation.
The male student, Francis Jay Gumikib, tragically succumbed to brain edema, as indicated in his death certificate released on October 5. The certificate also cited “suspected presumptive pulmonary tuberculosis” and “child physical abuse” as contributing factors to his untimely demise.
Forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun pointed out an essential omission in Gumikib’s death certificate – the specific cause of the brain hemorrhage, which should have been listed under “underlying cause of death.” Dr. Fortun emphasized that hemorrhage could result from an unusual condition called meningoencephalitis, beyond physical trauma.
Elena Minggoy, the grieving mother of the 14-year-old student, disclosed that the teacher allegedly slapped her son after reprimanding him during their exams at Peñafrancia Elementary School in Antipolo City. Gumikib’s condition deteriorated following the incident, leading to his hospitalization and eventual coma. He tragically passed away on October 2, three days after being hospitalized.
DepEd Order No. 40, also known as the Child Protection Policy, strictly prohibits teachers from employing corporal punishment to discipline a student. This policy explicitly defines corporal punishment as any disciplinary action involving “physical, humiliating, or degrading punishment.”
This tragic incident has raised concerns about student safety and the importance of adhering to child protection policies in educational institutions. The DepEd’s decision to suspend the accused teacher is a significant step to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into the matter.
