By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Schools Division Superintendent Cynthia Demavivas recommended to the Department of Education-Negros Island Region (DepEd-NIR) to implement disciplinary action and professional help for the teacher responsible for the beating of a Grade 3 student of Rizal Elementary School.
Rowelyn Bolinas, class adviser, was involved in the alleged child beating on the pupil inside her classroom.
Demavivas said, after they conducted an investigation, she recommended her for disciplinary action and professional help because she “needs it.”
After the incident, Demavivas reassigned the teacher to the library hub. She explained that was the only action she could make because she has no disciplinary authority and can only recommend actions. However, she is positive DepEd-NIR will file administrative charges against the teacher.
“A case like this is tantamount to a dismissal, but it will depend on the decision of the higher office of DepEd because the teacher is entitled to due process,” Demavivas said.
The city superintendent also stressed, based on their investigation, the teacher had a “bad experience” in her childhood, but it does not justify her actions.
The teacher is also now facing charges of child abuse with the office of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), after the aunt of the victim, Merly Obina of Purok Malipayon, Barangay 35, filed a complaint against Bolinas.
Negros Occidental CHR head Romeo Baldevarona said Obina alleged the teacher ordered her classroom pupils to beat the child and three of her classmates before the class started on February 6 because they were absent last February 4.
According to CHR, a medical record showed the girl suffered from contusion hematoma in the middle left and right buttocks as a result of the alleged beating./WDJ