Education Minister Ángel Hernández has revealed that nearly 60 teachers have been sanctioned for sexual abuse allegations in the past two years.
Hernández made the statement during an interview on the television program “El Día,” responding to questions about the recent cases of two teachers in San Pedro de Macorís accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old student.
“Last year (2023), 34 cases were sanctioned, and the year before (2022), a similar number,” said Hernández.
The minister emphasized that teachers who engage in such behavior are often known within the community, and school administrators and guidance counselors should pay close attention to any information students provide about their teachers.
“Usually, teachers who have this type of behavior are known. People know who they are. The issue is that everyone must assume their responsibility, especially the school principal and the guidance counselor, where many children and adolescents probably go to give some kind of information,” assured the minister.
The recent case in San Pedro de Macorís has led to the arrest of two teachers, English teacher Fernando Altagracia Peña Eusebio and mathematics teacher Alejandro Roberto Bello Matos, who are accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old student. The alleged abuse occurred both at the school and in a local church.
The Dominican Republic Attorney General’s Office has requested a detention order for Peña Eusebio, while Bello Matos remains at large. Additionally, five other school officials are being investigated for allegedly attempting to cover up the crimes.
The problem seems to be that the authorities are late in acting when the situation is known. Dominican Public School Teachers Association (ADP) and the Ministry of Education have condemned the actions of the teachers involved.
Read more in Spanish:
Listin Diario
Listin Diario
El Dia
DR1 News
28 November 2024