by Miriam G. Desacada
Tacloban City–Police on Friday (June 16) reported to the media that at least six elementary students (Grade VI) were hurt when their classmates accidentally ignited a bottle of ethyl alcohol that caused it to blow up inside their classroom at the Capoocan Central School in Capoocan, Leyte “past noon” of Thursday (June 15).
The victims, aged 11 to 13, were rushed to the Carigara District Hospital in adjacent town of Carigara where they were treated for burn injuries. Latest police report stated that four of the hurt pupils were eventually discharged, but two others were still at the hospital.
A relatively delayed official statement from DepEd-Leyte Schools Division (LSD) however mentioned of a different number when it said that it was “…deeply saddened to hear that seven Grade VI learners of the Capoocan Central School sustained burn injuries when their classmate accidentally ignited ethyl alcohol inside the classroom last June 15, 2023 at precisely 1:05 p.m.”
In mentioning the time of incident, the LSD was “precise” but as to the number of victims, it counted seven, different than the police report.
Anyway, the LSD statement further said: “Upon learning of the incident, Dr. Mariza S. Magan, the Schools Division Superintendent, instructed the school head to submit a complete incident report and immediately requested the division team through the (Capoocan’s) DRRM coordinator and other concerned personnel to thoroughly investigate the incident’s circumstances.”
While school authorities refused to mention the name of the teacher in-charge of the affected class, the police report said it was a certain Niño Jake Borrel who, at the time of the incident, was out for an interview by DepEd officials in nearby Leyte town.
Police reported that the incident started when one of the victims, a 12-year-old, grabbed the empty bottle of alcohol placed on top of the teacher’s desk and refilled it with alcohol placed beside the desk.
“In the process of refilling of alcohol, one of their classmates suddenly lit up a lighter towards the alcohol that was being refilled, thereby accidentally igniting it resulting into a quick explosion and causing burn injuries,” the police reported.
The statement of Magan continued that she “believes that the immediate concern is for the wellbeing and recovery of the affected learners; and that the Office (LSD) would accord the necessary actions for our learners impacted by this incident.”
Magan also said that the school “is now closely communicating with the families to offer support and assistance and conduct psychosocial support services for affected learners.”
“We understand that this incident has caused concern and anxiety within the division. We want to assure the public that we are committed to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment for all our learners. We will continue to keep you informed of any new developments, and we appreciate your support and patience during this difficult time,” she said.
While thanking the LGU, the Capoocan Police, and barangay officials who took appropriate actions, Magan said her office “reassures the public that this incident will not happen again.”
The Division is currently conducted a fact-finding investigation into the incident. But while at it, information officer Jasmin Francisco-Calzita told the media that school officials conducted a meeting, had talks already with the parents of the injured students, and assured that the school will shoulder all of the expenses.
One vital question is yet left unanswered though: why were pupils were all by themselves inside the classroom, as their teacher left them and went “on an official travel” to the next town?
This made one parent wonder, is the teacher allowed to leave his class and go somewhere else without properly dismissing his class first? She said it wont matter if the teacher was on official travel or not, what concerns to all was that he should not have left his class without sending them home first.
Calzita said the Division Office is now investigating the incident though, and will be taking appropriate action accordingly. “Our priority response now is to help the learners and their parents, especially on their medical needs,” she said. —Miriam G. Desacada
.