Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has warned local officials against nepotism and cronyism, or favors in the hiring of teachers in public schools.
Duterte made the bold remark during the general assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines Tuesday.
In a speech, the education chief said hiring of teachers must be based on ranking and professionalism.
“Kapag hindi natin sinusunod ang ranking ng ating mga teachers dahil po mayroon pong pinipili ang ating mga politicians at pinu-pursue natin sila sa Department of Education ay hindi po natin talaga mababago ang kalidad ng edukasyon ng ating bayan (If we don’t abide by the ranking of our teachers because our politicians are endorsing (their bets) to the Department of Education, then the quality of education in our land will not improve),” she said.
“Hindi po nating dapat pinipilit kung sino ‘yung kilala o kaibigan, kamag-anak natin sa pagpasok o hiring ng ating mga teachers sa Department of Education (We should not insist (the employment) of our acquaintances or friends, (nor) relatives to the hiring of our DepEd teachers),” she added.
Duterte also insisted that giving favors to teachers will not secure politicians’ chances of winning in an election.
“On this point, I’d like to remind our elected public officials na hindi po ang ating mga teachers, ang ating mga principals ang makakapagpanalo sa inyo sa eleksyon (it is not our teachers nor our principals who will let you win the election),” she said.
“Ang makakapagpanalo po sa inyo sa eleksyon ay ang trabaho ninyo at ang sinseridad ninyo na maipakita sa taong-bayan ang inyong munisipalidad na gusto niyo ng pagbabago o (You will win the elections because of your work and sincerity in showing the Filipinos in your areas that you want change or) transformative change in your locality,” she added.
Duterte said the DepEd has been keen on reminding educators and its personnel to refrain from showing political preferences as public servants and maintain their focus on providing good quality education. (PNA)