DepEd initiates psychosocial support after student’s death

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Department of Education (DepEd) announced plans to implement psychosocial interventions for peers and teachers affected by the death of a Grade 10 learner from Maasin, Iloilo, who tragically passed away on May 10.

“The Child Protection Committee (CPC) of the said school is set to conduct psychosocial interventions for affected peers and teachers close to the said learner,” DepEd stated in a release on Monday.

The school officials are awaiting the official police report to understand the circumstances surrounding the learner’s passing better.

DepEd has called for public restraint.

“We appeal to the public to refrain from spreading unconfirmed narratives as a sign of respect for the family during this time of grief,” the department emphasized.

Leonil Salvilla, spokesperson for the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Iloilo, told Daily Guardian that the school submitted an incident report last Friday, which was promptly forwarded to the regional office for validation.

“Immediately, our superintendent requested the school heads to convene the CPC since it was claimed that the cause of death was due to low grades in one of the subjects of the student,” Salvilla said.

DepEd Order No. 40 s. 2012 mandates each school establish a CPC to handle issues related to abuse, violence, exploitation, discrimination, bullying, and other forms of abuse.

The committee is composed of the school head or administrator as the chairperson, a guidance counselor or teacher, a representative from the teachers, parents, community, and a student representative appointed by the Supreme Student Council.

Salvilla confirmed that the school issued a temporary report card showing the student had initial grades of 64 and 69 in the first and second quarters, respectively, in Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan.

He clarified that this report card was provisional, intended to inform parents of their child’s current academic standing while waiting for the completion of outstanding requirements.

“As initial information from the school head, the report card provided was temporary because the student still has some academic requirements to fulfill […] It served as an initial update for parents regarding their child’s status, pending completion of the required tasks,” he explained.

Salvilla emphasized that teachers usually offer students opportunities to meet academic requirements, providing alternatives when necessary.

The teacher involved continues her regular classes but is also set to receive psychosocial support.

Salvilla highlighted DepEd’s Oplan Kalusugan sa DepEd (OK sa DepEd) program, launched in 2018, which converges various school health and nutrition programs.

Salvilla further encouraged students to reach out to health and nutrition unit personnel available in their schools if they encounter personal or familial challenges.

“In cases where schools require psychosocial support, the SDO Iloilo has already established, even before the pandemic, what we call psychological first aiders, who provide psychosocial support to learners and school personnel affected by abuse or calamities,” he added.

Residents needing mental health services can contact the following resources:

DOH WV CHD Mental Health Program

Smart: 0998 532 4047

Facebook Page: MH Connect/Facebook

Iloilo Provincial Health and Social Welfare and Development Offices (PRIME)

Smart: 0998 539 6704/ 0946 539 7929

Globe: 0915 542 6885/ 0977 122 0327

Aklan Provincial Health Office

Smart: 0970 599 9734

Antique Provincial Health Office

Smart: 0928 341 8475

Globe: 0966 166 5255

Capiz Provincial Health Office

Smart: 0921 991 2064

Globe: 0916 241 1596

lloilo City Health Office

Landline: (033) 315-3012

Facebook Page: lloilomhpss

Negros Occidental Health Office

Globe: 0965 982 1851

Smart: 0961 572 9197