Transfer of education exec sought

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines — The provincial board yesterday sought the transfer of a school division superintendent due to allegations of graft and corruption.

Board member Von Mark Mendoza of the second district filed a resolution seeking the transfer of Sheila Marie Primicias, officer-in-charge of the Pangasinan School Division 1, to other divisions outside the province.

The resolution, addressed to the Office of the President through the Secretary of Education, was based on complaints filed by some teachers, questioning Primicia’s policies involving the use of public funds.

Some of the complaints came from other school divisions where Primicias was assigned before she became officer-in-charge of the Pangasinan School Division 1.

Primicias denied the allegations, saying she is innocent of the charges hurled against her.

A separate fact-finding committee initiated by the central office of the Department of Education has been formed to look into the matter, Mendoza said.

“The postponement of the opening of classes from Aug. 24 to Oct. 5 is a welcome development as it will give proper authorities adequate time to decide either to transfer or suspend the accused,” Mendoza said.

Fourth district board member Jeremy Agerico Rosario, who chairs the committee on education of the provincial board, supported Mendoza’s resolution, saying the transfer of Primicias would prevent her from influencing the results of the probe.