PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday recognized the contributions and sacrifices of teachers and reaffirmed his commitment to prioritize their and their families’ welfare.
“Happy World Teachers’ Day to our educators, to whom our nation owes an immeasurable debt,” the President said on his official Facebook account.
“We recognize your sacrifices for our youth and assure you that we will prioritize your welfare and that of your families,” Marcos added.
Last October 1, Malacañang organized the “Konsyerto sa Palasyo” to honor teachers nationwide.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), in its website, said World’ Teachers’ Day is commemorated every 5th of October to pay tribute to all teachers around the globe.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO), on its Facebook page, recognized the contributions of teachers in shaping the future of the children and thanked them for their dedication to teaching and loving the young.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte reminded teachers to take care of the children entrusted to them by their parents and not to hurt them.
Duterte made the appeal during the World Teachers Day celebration held in Butuan City where she raised the issue of Francis Jay Gumikib, a Grade 5 student of Penafrancia Elementary School in Antipolo City who went into a coma and died last Monday eleven days after he was allegedly slapped by his teacher, Mirasol Sison.
It was Duterte’s first direct statement on the incident since the grade-schooler succumbed last Monday.
“Let me just remind you all, our teachers, that children are entrusted to your care. Do not hurt the children, whether it be physical, sexual or verbal abuse. You don’t do that to children, especially those that are entrusted to your care,” Duterte said.
She said society puts teachers in a great position to educate and mold children into better citizens of the country, so hurting kids is out of the question.
“You are supposed to take care of them, mold them into the best citizens that we can have for the future of our country and you are supposed to ensure that they are happy inside the classroom and happy to learn what you are teaching,” she added.
The DepEd chief said she understands the challenges and difficulties faced by teachers in the country, but added they should always work to ensure they leave a positive image and experiences to their students.
“So, always keep that in your mind that whatever you do will affect the life of the child, so make sure that your footprint is something that is positive in the life of a child,” she added.
Duterte said she is still waiting for the results of the autopsy on Gumikib being done by the PNP Forensic Laboratory in Camp Crame.
The PNP said the autopsy report will be released seven days after the conduct of the autopsy.
Antipolo police chief Lt. Col. Ryan Manongdo said Sison could be charged with homicide in relation to Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
The DepEd has created a fact-finding team to probe the incident and, if warranted, to file administrative proceedings against Sison.
DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Cesar Bringas said Sison could face dismissal from the service if proven she committed grave misconduct.
But Bringas assured Sison that she would be afforded due process during the administrative proceedings.
Sison has gone on official leave but Bringas said the DepEd could not yet place her on preventive suspension as no formal complaints have been filed against her.
Sison has gone on official leave but Bringas said the DepEd could not yet place her on preventive suspension as no formal complaints have been filed against her.
