School loses tax exemption, faces closure over student’s death

MANILA, Philippines — The British School Manila (BSM) has lost its tax exemption privilege and is facing possible closure following an investigation conducted by the Department of Education (DepEd) in relation to a student’s suicide in 2015.

In a 26-page resolution released yesterday, the DepEd found BSM did not comply with the requirements necessary to operate an international school in the Philippines.

It gave the school one year to secure a legislative franchise or comply with the necessary requirements to operate or face closure due to lack of legal authority to operate.

DepEd also withheld issuance of a favorable recommendation for tax exemptions until the department “deems it proper to restore such privilege, should the school continue in operation upon compliance with (the directive).”

The ruling stemmed from the administrative complaint filed by Trixie Madamba, the mother of BSM student Liam, who committed suicide in 2015 after he was confronted by a teacher over a plagiarism case.

In her original complaint, Madamba criticized the actions of the school following the death of her son, including granting permission to the teacher who accused him of plagiarism to leave the country and the decision to revise the report of the independent panel created to investigate the incident.

Madamba also questioned the legal authority of BSM to operate, noting that it is operating merely through a memorandum of understanding with DepEd, contrary to rules set by a department order issued in 2010.

In the March 5 ruling signed by Education Secretary Leonor Briones and Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Alberto Muyot, DepEd said BSM deviated from its behavior policy and has unclear guidelines and processes with respect to disciplinary action in relation to plagiarism.

It also directed the regional director in Metro Manila to ensure that the school follows the DepEd child protection policy in evaluating the any application of permit from BSM.

DepEd dismissed the claim of BSM that Madamba is forum shopping, noting that its complaint with the department is administrative in nature, while the cases filed before the Department of Justice and the Taguig Regional Trial Court are criminal and civil cases, respectively.