ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) here temporarily prohibited teachers from wearing shirts with images and colors which represent political parties and candidates.
Pedro Melchor Natividad, school division superintendent, said the order is to insulate teachers from being associated with any political party or candidate.
The school official reminded more than 5,600 teachers in this city as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) in October. Teachers are also urged to observe the National Teachers’ Month, starting from September 5 to October 5.
“This is the time we teachers also have to enjoy and we don’t want them to be dragged on political issues,” Natividad said in a conference here. “So to prevent (teachers) from such issue, they are advised to avoid wearing t-shirts with image and colors associated with any political party and candidates.”
Natividad said teachers should wear white, a neutral color not linked to any political group or candidate.
He assured the public that teachers are aware that they should be non-partisan in doing their duties.
Natividad however said they could not avoid schools and teachers from asking support from incumbent elected government officials.