TACLOBAN CITY-The Department of Education (DepEd) Leyte division has extended its “deep sympathies” to the bereaved family of a 21-year-old grade school teacher who killed herself on July 12.
“The schools division of Leyte personally extended condolences and deep sympathies to the bereaved family of teacher Emylou Malate. We are saddened and in pain over this incident,” it said in a statement.
Malate, single, started her teaching job in a multi-grade class at Bagacay West Primary School, an upland school in La Paz town, just last June 21 of this year.
Senior Inspector Ernie Rocha, officer-in-charge of La Paz Police Station, said that Malate committed suicide by hanging herself as relayed by Malate’s father, Rodulfo.
Based on the police interview conducted with the victim’s father, it was revealed that Malate committed suicide due to depression.
Three suicide notes addressed to her mother and alleged boyfriend were recovered at the scene.
In her suicide letters, Malate mentioned the word “weak” three times.
Malate’s parents also confirmed that the signature in the suicide notes was that of their daughter.
“May the death of teacher Emylou be not in vain, but be an opportunity for everyone to realize that in our everyday engagement with teachers we will consider the fact that each one has different emotional stability,” Edgar Tenasas, the assistant schools division superintendent, said.
Tenasas and other division officials personally visited the family of Malate to convey their condolences and inquire about the incident.
Amid the death of Malate, Tenasas also urged school administrators to consider in their yearly crafting of annual improvement plan (AIP) the regular conduct of team building and other activities that will lead to the personal development of teachers.
Meanwhile, DepEd Regional Director Ramir Uytico said that it’s “still too early to judge” that Malate’s work as a teacher was the reason why she committed suicide.
“Ang teacher talaga has to do his or her part. Pag mag-apply ka sa DepEd, alam mo na ang mga challenges ng DepEd,” Uytico said over a radio interview.
(RONALD O. REYES)
