MANILA, Philippines — A school principal has been ordered to pay damages after a student under his instruction caused a fatal accident, affirming that educators may be held accountable for harm resulting from their students’ actions if due diligence is not observed.

The Supreme Court (SC), in a ruling penned by Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando, upheld the liability of Gil Apolinario, principal of Brgy. Palale Elementary School in Sta. Margarita, Samar, for the death of Francisco De Los Santos.

Court records showed that Apolinario instructed a 15-year-old student to cut down a banana plant near the school and beside a highway. The plant fell and struck De Los Santos, who was riding a motorcycle, resulting in his death.

De Los Santos’ family filed a complaint for damages, arguing that Apolinario failed to ensure safety precautions, such as placing warning signs or proper supervision while the student carried out the task.

Both the Regional Trial Court and Court of Appeals found Apolinario negligent, ruling that he remained responsible despite the incident occurring outside regular school hours. The SC upheld these findings, emphasizing that teachers and school heads must exercise due diligence when assigning tasks to students.

“School heads and teachers stand in loco parentis (in the place of a parent) to their pupils and are thus called upon to exercise reasonable supervision over the conduct of the child,” the ruling stated.

Under the Civil Code, individuals who cause harm due to negligence must pay damages, a responsibility that extends to teachers and school heads under the principle of vicarious liability. The SC found that Apolinario failed to take precautions to ensure the safety of students and the general public.

“He should have instructed the student to install early warning devices along the highway or requested another adult to assist and supervise him and warn oncoming motorists,” the Court ruled.

As a result, Apolinario was ordered to pay De Los Santos’ heirs P355,000 in damages and litigation expenses.