In Talisay City College: Leadership war root of dismal LET feat?

CEBU, Philippines - Did the string of controversies that hounded Talisay City College early this year take a toll on the students?

For the school's officer-in-charge, yes.

Doctor Edgar Martinez yesterday admitted that the tug-of-war on the school's leadership post was among the contributing factors to the schools "dismal performance" in the recent Licensure Examination for Teachers.

"Wala gyud ta mi-place this year," Martinez said, referring to the school not being able to produce a graduate landing in the top 10 of passers in the recent LET.

Without fail since 2008 to 2013, TCC had produced a topnotcher in the LET exams in either elementary or secondary level.

In the October 2014 exams for elementary level, 51 of 77 board examiners from TCC were able to pass. With repeaters included, TCC earned an overall passing rate of 59.7 percent.

In the secondary level, 62 of 109 passed while only one of the 17 repeaters made it to the cut.

To recall, TCC was wrapped with controversy for several months after De los Reyes had ordered former acting president Ritchel Bacaltos to relinquish his post in favor of his appointee Dr. Paulus Marie Cañete, who heads the controversial Mandaue City College.

Since then, the school had been involved in management issues ranging from two separate graduation rites and culminating in two separate enrollment desks during the opening of classes in June.

"Apektado gyud ang mga estudyante tungod atong mga panghitabo. Ang nahitabo, ato nalang i-charge to experience," Martinez said.

He believes that the TCC can still recover, saying the school will lay out education reform screening test for would-be teachers.

"Daghan kaayo ta og mga repeat test takers. Ang mahitabo niini, we will be advising them to take another course basin mo-excel sila sa uban," Martinez said.

He added that in the first place, the educational system had to make sure it had the right people to train to become teachers.

A screening and processing process for students who want to be teachers would also help restore the prestige of the teaching profession, according to Martinez.  (FREEMAN)