A high-ranking elementary school teacher in Pavia town was accused of harassing a grade three pupil last week.

According to an Aksyon Radyo news report, Head Teacher III Nestor Java of Aganan-Ungka Elementary School allegedly physically harassed his pupil who was involved in a commotion in their school.

The 10-year-old pupil confessed to his parents he was slapped, choked and was even kicked by his teacher when he was asked to report at Java’s office.

The teacher however denied the allegation.

He admitted that he held the pupil’s mouth and shoulder but clarified that no choking happened.

VIOLENCE IN SCHOOL

Though corporal punishment is prohibited following the issuance of the Child and Youth Welfare Code in 1974, there are still around 500 to 800 cases of child abuse annually committed by teachers in the country, according to a study by the Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists of the Philippines Inc (CAPPI).

Among the most common forms of physical violence experienced by children in school are pinching, having objects such as chalks, erasers or even books thrown at them and being kicked, choked or hit by a stick.*