Around 3,000 teachers in NegOr to serve in May elections

CEBU, Philippines - An estimated 3,000 public school teachers in Negros Oriental are expected to serve during the upcoming May 13 mid-term elections.

Department of Education (DepEd)-Negros Oriental division of schools Superintendent Dr. Salustiano Jimenez disclosed that of the number, a minimal percentage of these teachers will be serving for the first time in the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs).

Most of the teachers comprising the BEIs have already served in the 2010 and even other previous elections, Dr. Jimenez said.

For the new ones, Dr. Jimenez expressed optimism that they are capable of carrying out their duties and responsibilities as BEIs as they have already been trained or attending ongoing trainings in relation to the automated polls.

The division superintendent also assured that teachers who are related by affinity or consanguinity to politicians or political candidates in Negros Oriental will not be serving in the BEIs.

There are an estimated 6,000 teachers in the province, more than enough to provide the needs of the Commission on Elections, Jimenez noted.

Meanwhile, Dr. Jimenez said that the DepEd cannot prevent politicians or political candidates from attending graduating ceremonies.

They can still be present during these activities but the DepEd discourages them from mentioning anything related to politics or to campaign during the graduation exercises, according to Jimenez.  (FREEMAN)