LEGAZPI CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) regional office here wants the Bicol Central Academy (BCA) teacher-owner-administrator involved in a recent bag-burning incident to file a leave of absence and pay for all the damages incurred by his action.
DepEd OIC regional director Gilbert Sadsad said that during the dialogue on Wednesday between BCA officials, DepEd officials, parents and affected students, Alexander James Jaucian explained his side regarding the incident.
“Mr. Jaucian apologized to the parents for the unfortunate event that happened and informed them also that he is now being admonished by BCA’s board of directors,” Sadsad said.
The BCA board of directors wants Jaucian to conduct a conference with DepEd officials and the affected students’ parents, apologize for the unfortunate event, reimburse all damaged items at his personal expense, serve a 90-day suspension without pay and voluntarily submit to a development program, he noted.
“He better go on leave not only for 90 days but for a longer time to help the affected students recover from trauma, this is the best thing to do right now to allay fears of students who were ‘punished’,” Sadsad said.
He also asked the parents to submit an inventory of the properties damaged with the corresponding cost and Jaucian to pay the amount.
“He must also coordinate for the stress debriefing of the Grade 11 students particularly those who are affected,” he added.
Sadsad said 28 parents were present during the dialogue held at BCA in Libmanan, Camarines Sur, and all of them expressed dismay about the incident last Friday, where Jaucian had the students’ bags burned apparently for defying his “no-bag policy” during a school event.
“Some parents said that it is not acceptable, it should not be tolerated and must not be repeated, others called for an impartial decision on the matter; other parents expressed that they are aware of the policy and understand why the incident happened, others would just like to reimburse them for the damaged items/belongings,” he said.
After the dialogue, a psychosocial first aid or stress debriefing was again conducted for the affected students facilitated by DepEd guidance counselors. The first was conducted last Monday.
DepEd-Bicol is set to submit a report today, Thursday, to the central office regarding the dialogue and the regional office’s recommendation on what course of action to take with regard the incident.
“We will continue to study the revocation of permit to operate for the senior high school program of BCA,” Sadsad said. (Connie Calipay/PNA)
