Taguig teachers want principal kicked out

Teachers of the Taguig National High School (TNHS) yesterday staged a rally to denounce alleged abuses committed by their principal, forcing a delay in the opening of classes in the school.

The teachers strongly declared their "distrust and loss of confidence" in Dr. Eleanor Abisado in leading the school.

"The school has been in the limelight of disgrace and shame due to illegal collection of fees during enrollment and overpriced and anomalous field trips," the teachers said in a statement.

Abisado reportedly cancelled classes and ordered the students to go home and come back on June 13,

Dismayed parents of students as well as education officials, led by DepEd-NCR assistant director Portia Gesilva, proceeded to the school to assess the situation.

The protesting teachers raised several issues against Abisado. Allegations include the principal’s lack of knowledge in school management, misappropriation of funds, non-transparency on canteen proceeds, unjust and unfair treatment of teachers, poor attendance, inconsistency in the implementation of school policies, poor relations with students’ parents and non-consultation with them in the collections being made.

Abisado’s move to open the school gate fronting Maharlika without proper consultation was also criticized by the teachers, students and parents due to the security risk it poses.

The teachers called on the Department of Education to kick her out from the school.

"We can no longer afford to work with her for another schoolyear. We are praying for her ouster to free us from the bondage of misery," the statement read.

The school head has been formally charged before the DepEd for alleged violations of Reasonable Office Rules and Unauthorized Collection of Contributions from School Children, based on complaints filed by Nixon Faderog, TNHS-Parents and Teachers Association president.

"We from the education sector should be the ones to exemplify professionalism and integrity. If the students deserve quality teachers, we teachers deserve a quality principal," Bernadette Bautista, a TNHS teacher, said.

Dante Arienza, another teacher who also chairs the Committee on Teachers’ Welfare and Development, said they are requesting DepEd Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Camilo Montesa, to temporarily take over and resolve ongoing problems at the school.

"Three years ago, student population at TNHS was 6,000. Now, enrollment figures show we now only have 1,000 students because of the problems hounding the school," Arienza said.