Teachers accused of collecting money, selling goods in class

CEBU, Philippines - Two teachers of Pasil Elementary School in Cebu City are now the subject of complaints for allegedly collecting money from their students to pay for their utility personnel.

The complainant, in a text message to The Freeman, alleged that the teachers collected P2 from each of their students.

“Kada adlaw man gud pabayron og tag dos pesos ang mga tinun-an kay para bayad sa paglimpyo. Grabeha kada adlaw gyud? Unya pila ka tinun-an kay buntagon ug haponon. Unya dili pod papaulion ang Grade 1 basta dili mopalit sa tinda sa maestra,” the complainant said.

Aside from the daily collections, the teachers also allegedly forced their students to buy food from their mini store inside the classroom. The teachers are handling Grade 1 and Grade II classes.

The complainant further alleged that the pupils were also required to pay P60 each a few weeks ago for television sets for their classrooms, but no TV has reportedly been purchased until now.

The Freeman tried to get the side of the teachers, but they refused to comment on the issue. Their names will be withheld until they issue a statement.

Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City Division Superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud has instructed Rylene Manawatao, the principal of Pasil Elementary School, to meet with the two teachers, as well as the parents of the students.

Another teacher told The Freeman that the P2 daily collection was reportedly a decision of the Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) so that the students will not have to clean the classroom’s surroundings themselves.

“Nauyonan man kana sa mga ginikanan kay para ang gagmay nilang mga anak dili na maoy manilhig, mosuhol na lang sila og tawo nga maoy manglimpyo unya mag-amot na lang sila og tag dos pesos kada adlaw,” the teacher explained.

Collections from the two classes can reach up to P320 per day, but there are students who reportedly have not been paying religiously.

Angtud said the probe will start with the school’s grievance committee, which will then endorse its findings to the DepEd division office. Should there be a valid ground to launch a formal investigation, the complaint will be forwarded to the DepEd regional office.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young, chairman of the City Council’s committee on education, also requested for a thorough investigation into the matter.  (FREEMAN)