Teacher sends ‘bad’ pupil to special class

IT’S nothing more but a simple misunderstanding.

This was the statement of Department of Education (Deped) 7 Director Carmelita Dulangon over the allegations made by the mother of a nine-year-old boy who was reportedly transferred by his Grade 2 teacher to a class for special students for being too naughty.

Dulangon, in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu yesterday, said that she recently met with Grade 2 teacher Bernadine Abalo and officials of the Lipata Elementary School in Minglanilla to talk to them regarding the incident.

She found out that Abalo sent Mark (not his real name) to the school’s Special Education (Sped) class as the adviser there would make an assessment on the boy’s behavior.

No punishment

Dulangon clarified that Mark’s transfer to the Sped class was not a form of punishment despite Abalo’s admission that she didn’t inform the boy’s parents regarding her decision.

She also heard from Abalo and some concerned parents that Mark was reportedly a troublemaker, whose behavior cannot even be controlled by them.

Dulangon also found out from Abalo that it was the boy’s grandmother who would always pick him up after class.

However, while she has heard the side of the teacher, Dulangon said that she has yet to hear Mark’s side on the matter, from his parents.

Dulangon said she will not make any decision yet until she hears both sides of the story.

Forced

Mark’s mother had earlier revealed to Sun.Star Cebu that during the last school year, her son was forced to attend a Sped class for a month as punishment for being naughty.

She claimed that aside from that, Abalo refused to give her son’s report card, because that she misplaced it.

In a separate interview, Abalo denied the allegation.