Bruises on the thigh of a SPED student is pictured in a photo posted by Conrado Soriano on his Facebook account.
PASIG CITY, Philippines — Netizens’ attention was caught by the Facebook post of Mang Conrado about his grandson who belongs to the special education class of a public school.
The seven-year old with special needs came from a private school but was forced to transfer in a public school because of financial problems.
According to his grandmother, on the first day of class on June 13, the child suddenly disappeared from his classroom.
Based on the schedule, his dismissal is set at 12 in the afternoon. However, the teacher dismissed the class earlier than expected at past 10 in the morning without even notifying the parents and guardians.
“Because he is special, anything can happen in just a moment he gets lost or when you suddenly let go of him. Anything can happen if for example he gets out of the place or be hit by a car, or be accompanied by a stranger. How will I find my grandson? Non-verbal, you cannot even ask his name if he doesn’t know you or would not even talk to you if he is not comfortable with you,” said Loida Soriano, grandmother.
When they got home, she noticed the bruises on his thigh which looked like he got from being pinched.
The child is now scared and hesitant to go to school.
Together with UNTV, the Conrado couple and Loida Soriano consulted the situation of their grandson at the DepEd Command Center.
DepEd Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali re-emphasized the existence of DepEd Order No. 40 series of 2012 or the Child Protection policy.
“Child abuse again committed by an adult against a child. Bullying again committed by a student again by another student is one of the things we are serious about,” Asec. Umali said.
The complaint was immediately submitted to the legal department for investigation to be given proper action.
“It is the Regional Office of the Department of Education which has the jurisdiction to commence an investigation and impose proper disciplinary measures if a respondent teacher is proven guilty,” Umali explained.
The department is saddened that there is a situation like this and hope it serves as a reminder to all teachers and employees of the department.
According to the secretary, parents and students can hope for a strict implementation and monitoring to protect the youth.
Verbal, physical or emotional abuse of a child with special needs is guarded closely by the department due to the sensitive nature of their case. DepEd underscores the particualr attention and guidance needed by these children to be able to enjoy the same educational privileges of normal students.
(JOAN NANO/UNTV NEWS)
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