‘English only’ policy not ground for expulsion, DepEd says

MANILA, Philippines -The Department of Education (DepEd) reminded yesterday school administrators that students cannot be expelled for violating an “English only” policy.

“The English speaking policy is allowed but the penalty of expulsion because of its violation is not allowed (by DepEd),” Education Assistant Secretary Tonisito Umali said in a statement.

Last July 31, the Saviour’s Christian Academy in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte “advised” three students —Grade 8 students Kleinee Bautista, Carl Abadilla and Samuel Respicio — to look for another school after the school’s president, Brian Shah, heard them speaking in Ilocano in the school premises.

School officials, however, claimed it was only an “advisory.”

 Umali said the DepEd has ordered its regional office in Laoag to investigate the incident. He, however, said the families of the students did not file formal complaints against the school.

He added that expulsion of a student is a penalty that must be approved by the Office of the Secretary.

Umali said the students voluntarily transferred to other schools based on news reports.

 The reported expulsion of 3 students from a school here drew a sharp reaction from Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Farinas who filed a House resolution seeking investigation of the Saviour’s Christian Academy for expelling the students after they spoke Ilocano inside the campus.

Farinas teamed up with the Kabataan party-list in initiating the investigation.

The trio’s parents protested the “harsh” penalty but the school through lawyer Jaime Agtang later clarified that the students were only issued an advisory telling them that they are free to look for another school.

Agtang said that the school welcomes back the three boys. “There was only a misunderstanding, it’s up to them if they want to come back,” he said.

The House resolution said that the school administration could have violated the Special Protection of Children against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act adding that the “supposed offense is not proportionate to the sanction imposed .”