THE Department of Education (DepEd) 7 said it will further investigate a public high school teacher in Cebu City involved in a viral video showing a physical assault on a junior high school student.
The video was uploaded by the student’s mother and has since been deleted.
DepEd 7 Director Salustiano Jimenez assured that whatever they decide after their investigation would be “fair and just” for the parties involved. He, however, emphasized that corporal punishment should not have a place in teaching.
He said the viral incident happened on Feb. 16. The teacher involved was identified by the student’s mother as Ernesto Cabase, a teacher at Don Sergio Memorial National High School.
SunStar Cebu is withholding the name of the student who is a minor.
Jimenez said their initial investigation revealed that Cabase’s outburst was due to the student’s absences in class and his discovery of the student’s multiple ear piercings.
The student, 13, is in Grade 8.
Instilling discipline
Jimenez added that, according to the preliminary report, the teacher was trying to discipline the student. The student reportedly resisted and responded defiantly, prompting the teacher to raise a hand and kick the student, as seen in the video.
“Though, as I say, no matter how naughty the kid is, still, corporal punishment is not the solution. We always have to observe positive discipline. We should be clear about it,” Jimenez said on Saturday, Feb. 24.
Following the incident, the individuals involved, including the student’s parent, already met for a settlement at the school’s principal office.
The parent has since deleted the viral video from her personal Facebook account. However, several Facebook pages and accounts have already reuploaded the video, with one repost reaching over three million views.
Jimenez said there is a proper process for seeking a resolution to the issue.
He clarified that they cannot just issue suspension or similar penalties to the teacher without any formal investigation, adding that the parent may submit a formal written complaint, which will hasten the development of the investigation.
Jimenez said the student continued attending school even after the incident. However, the student began avoiding school after the mother shared the video, allegedly due to bullying and embarrassment.
In an interview with radio dyHP’s news program on Saturday, the mother said she is willing to file a formal complaint against the teacher.
Meanwhile, the teacher’s son posted on Facebook last Friday, Feb. 23, addressing the incident and extending apologies to the student and parent involved.
“We apologize that my dad did not respond to the situation appropriately. He admitted his fault and deeply regretted it, and my whole family is in pain. He should not have done that. Hence, I am here to extend my apology to the student and to the parent who shared the video,” a portion of his post reads.
He hoped that fairness would prevail for both parties and urged parents to check on their kids at school regularly to prevent issues from escalating.