LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) regional office in Bicol provided psycho-social intervention to traumatized students, after the teacher-owner-administrator of the Bicol Central Academy (BCA) in Libmanan town in Camarines Sur burned their school bags for not complying with a “no-schoolbag policy” during a recent event.
Together with four guidance counselors, DepEd Officer-In-Charge regional director Gilbert Sadsad said they went to the school in Libmanan on Monday and conducted a dialogue with the assistant school principal and the affected students.
“We were able to talk to five students, who were among the 15 initial students listed as “victims” of the torching, we conducted stress debriefing and three of them manifested anger but willing to continue and finish their studies”, Sadsad said in an interview.
When asked on the degree of their anger on scale of 1-10, Sadsad said some students gave varied rates, “(there’s) 10, (there’s) 7, (and there’s) 5”.
The director said he was able to talk to BCA administrator Alexander James Jaucian, who is behind the incident. Jaucian is now in Metro Manila to explain his side to the BCA’s board.
“The school is in economic holiday today and since tomorrow is holiday, we will go back to the school on August 22 for a follow-up investigation”, Sadsad said.
Sadsad said DepEd has regulatory tools for private schools if the school administrator’s accountability is established.
He said they are looking to impose “a possible suspension or revocation of the school’s permit to operate; or disqualification of the school to participate in the Education Service Contracting and Senior High School Voucher Program; or non-issuance of favorable recommendation for tax exemption.” (Connie Calipay/PNA)
