Fat killer cops? DepEd slams PNP portrayal in quiz

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has reminded teachers to focus on promoting positive values in students after a test paper supposedly for Grade 2 pupils went viral for including sensitive issues and negative descriptions of the police.

Citing inputs from its Filipino specialists, the department said the teacher could have used positive words and simpler concepts in the test, especially since the pupils are still in primary school.

In the said Filipino test, the pupils were asked to choose from among the sentences or phrases provided by the teacher.

Among those included were phrases such as “policemen are fat and have big stomachs,” “policemen are abusive,” “extrajudicial killings are wrong” and “killings are not constitutional.”

“The Department of Education does not agree with the use of test items that negatively describe the police,” the department’s statement read in Filipino.

“We do not support the use of the statements that refer to them and other current issues as these do not have anything to do with the innocent students,” it added.

While extrajudicial killings are “indeed wrong” and that the killings are “definitely unconstitutional,” the agency said teachers should be careful in using such statements as it could leave a negative impression on the pupils.

“The competencies included in the test involves the capability of students to describe people, things, animals, events and places. There are a lot of positive words that can be used in descriptions,” the DepEd said.

“It is recommended that teachers use positive words when they come up with test items. Teachers, considered as second parents, are responsible in helping the students develop cognitive aspect and positive values,” it added.

The Philippine National Police had earlier expressed concern over the test items, with its chief Director General Oscar Albayalde saying the school may file a case against the teacher.