The board of trustees of the Bicol Central Academy (BCA) today ordered the 90-day suspension without pay of Alexander James Jaucian, the school administrator who allegedly ordered the burning of BCA students’ bags last week.
The incident has gone viral on social media thanks to posts shared on Facebook and Twitter by one netizen named Earl Vincent Cañaveral, who introduced himself as a former student of the private school in Libmanan, Camarines Sur.
Aside from the suspension, the board also ordered Jaucian to pay for the students’ destroyed property, according to UNTV.
According to Cañaveral, the bags, some of which contained clothes, cellphones, and laptops, were burned at BCA’s quadrangle.
The drastic action came after the students failed to comply with a “no bag policy” for an event where they were required to teach younger children in the absence of their teachers, who had gone to a government-organized seminar.
In an interview with Manila Bulletin, Cañaveral said: “Part of it was that they need to wear formal attire so that they will look like professionals. Since they are wearing such, they were told not to bring any big bags or backpacks since it will not look good with their attire.” Yep. That’s the supposed rationale.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer reported that the Department of Education (DepEd) has encouraged the parents of the students involved to file a formal complaint against Jaucian. Education Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla said the parents were hesitant to file charges against the school administrator.
According to Sevilla, the parents just want to be paid for the damages or have the destroyed items replaced.
Despite the absence of a formal complaint, however, the DepEd will continue with its probe on the incident. The department will review BCA’s license to operate and may order it suspended or revoked. Should it be revoked, the BCA will no longer receive a government subsidy, valued at PHP 5.9 million (more than US$110,490) which is called the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education.
According to CNN Philippines, the DepEd has already provided counseling to the student-victims earlier this week.
