High School Principal Reinstated Despite Anti-Student Policies, Corruption Issues

With this, Samson and Agbayani, together with their parents, went to the office of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to seek help. A representative from CHR joined Samson, Agbayani and their parents on January 9, 2009 to appeal the principal’s decision. “Sadsad was very angry. I was outside her office at the time she was talking to my parents and the representative from CHR. They were arguing,” Samson said.

Sadsad agreed to reschedule and lessen the suspension to eight days. She also removed other conditions that were first cited in the suspension notice. The following week, they also asked for the intervention of the Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office, which decided to lift the suspension.

“Everything was back to normal,” Samson said. Then on mid-April, 2009, Sadsad filed for an indefinite leave. A member of the faculty told Samson that it was Sadsad’s “graceful exit” from the school. With this, students and the alumni association held a party in celebration of their victory.

No Yet a Victory

But it seems that the students have celebrated their victory prematurely. Sometime in May 2010, the students were informed that Sadsad would be reinstated as principal of Quezon City Science High School. Though Samson had already graduated from high school, she said that she feels strongly about it.

“It is both irritating and disappointing that she is going to come back. We all thought that she had no plans of coming back,” Samson said, believing that Sadsad’s absence for a year in the academic community is no guarantee that she has changed.

But for Anton Dulce, also a graduate of Quezon City Science High School and Anakbayan national vice chairperson, Sadsad’s reinstatement as principal came as no surprise. He told Bulatlat that the suspension of the four bloggers in 2008 is perhaps the most distinct issue that surrounded Sadsad. But there are other issues surrounding Sadsad’s administration that remain unresolved.

Dulce said there have been allegations that students who failed in the entrance examinations were allowed to pay their way to the school. There are also allegations of misuse of the Parent-Teacher Association funds under Sadsad’s administration. “There was a call among members of the PTA in early 2009 to audit the funds. But Sadsad blocked the investigation,” Dulce said.

He also said the reinstatement of the high school principal could either mean that they are tolerating or benefitting from the issues involving Sadsad, citing that the Department of Education itself has also been linked to many corruption cases.

In a report, DepEd National Capital Region director Flordeliza Magday said she has already sent a letter to Quezon City District Superintendent Rowena Cacanindin to address the concerns of the students and parents. Earlier, in a dialogue with the students on May 17, Cacanindin dismissed reports that Sadsad would be reinstated. A few days after, banners welcoming Sadsad were found inside the school premises.

Dulce warned Sadsad that she should resign as early as now. “If she stays longer, the agitation of the students would build up. Protest actions inside and outside the campus would intensify,” he said. (Bulatlat.com)