
MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 8, 2013) – A Filipino teacher was fired from his job after he was caught on camera attacking and berating two students at the Montessori Professional College in Pasay City.
The video, taken by other students, was uploaded to YouTube and it went viral and caught the attention of the media.
In the video, one of the students, Jean Olbedencia, was seen in the crying after she was hit by Narciso Varona and was almost mauled after accusing him of physical abuse.
The Montessori Professional College immediately fired the teacher after its officials, shocked by what they saw in the video, apologized to the students.
The National Youth Commission also condemned the violent acts of the teacher and said it was a flagrant violation of the rights and welfare of the students.
“This unacceptable behavior is a flagrant violation of Student’s Rights and Welfare. Schools should provide an environment of learning, growth and fun – not one that tolerates barbarism, impunity, and violence against youth and women,” NYC Chairman Leon Flores said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
NYC Commissioner-at-Large Gio Tingson, who chairs Committee on Education, said the teachers, as primary guardians inside the schools’ premises, should be the ones in the forefront of upholding and protecting the rights and welfare of students.
“They must exercise proper modes of discipline based on set rules and guidelines, rather than resorting to unprofessional and aggressive acts as these may harm our youth’s well-being. Students must also be entitled to their right to due process if their actions need discipline and attention from school authorities,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)