2 Pasil teachers cleared of charges

CEBU, Philippines - The grievance committee of the Pasil Elementary School yesterday cleared two female teachers of charges that both of them illegally collected money from their pupils everyday.

Cherryl Maglasang and Catherine Gabia, Grade 1 and Grade II teachers, respectively, presented the minutes of the meetings of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) last July 16 and July 29 showing that most parents agreed to contribute P2 everyday to pay someone to clean their classrooms.

It is usually the children who clean their classroom after classes are done for the day but Maglasang and Gabia said the parents decided to contribute for the honorarium of a cleaner.

“Malooy man kuno sila sa ilang mga anak nga hapon na ug gipanggutom na unya mao pa ang manglimpyo mao nga nagkauyon na lang sila nga mohatag og tag dos pesos pero walay pinugsanay,” Maglasang and Gabia told the grievance committee headed by principal Raylene Manawatao. (The parents pity their children who are already hungry after classes but would have to stay to clean up so they decided to contribute P2 each and this is voluntary.)

Maglasang and Gabia are both afternoon session teachers of Grade 1 and Grade II.

Manawatao asked Gabia about the issue that she collected P60 from each parent for a television set, but until now it was not realized. Gabia explained that one of the parents offered to sell her surplus TV set at P2,880 but the amount collected was only P1,660.

“Wala man g’yud mamayad ang ubang ginikanan hangtud karon mao nga wala pa makuha ang TV set. Ang kwarta anaa ra sa PTA treasurer,” Gabia explained. (The other parents did not pay so we were not able to get the TV set. The money is with the treasurer.)

The principal advised the two teachers to call for an urgent meeting with the parents so they can decide whether to pursue the project.

Another issue raised by the complainant was that Maglasang would compel her pupils to buy the food products before they are allowed to go out of the room after their classes.

“Unsaon pagpugos nga wala man gani nay kwarta ang ubang mga bata,” Maglasang said. (How could I force them when other kids don’t even have money?)

Cebu City district school superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud said the putting of food products inside the classrooms is not prohibited by the Department of Education because it is part of the so-called “supervised recess.” The children, though, should not be compelled to buy thems.

Both Maglasang and Gabia believe the complainant was someone who failed to attend the PTA meeting. (FREEMAN)