DepEd Catanduanes must swiftly resolve the growing problem of the increasing number of officers-in-charge (OICs) in both high schools and elementary schools across the province. For instance, my alma mater frequently faces issues with salary disbursement due to the absence of a principal or a designated signatory. The critical question is, why are principals in plantilla positions not assigned to their respective schools but are instead working elsewhere?
This practice has been ongoing for years, raising suspicions about whether these positions are maintained for convenience or financial gain. Who benefits from this scheme? For example, the principal supposed to be at Caramoran School of Fisheries is assigned to Datag, while the principal for Datag is posted elsewhere. What kind of modus operandi is this? Why does DepEd accommodate principals who cannot fulfill their roles in the schools where they applied, only to appoint an OIC in their place?
This problematic scheme demands immediate attention. Who benefits from this arrangement? We need an explanation from DepEd’s higher-ups, or this issue should be escalated to their superiors for a thorough investigation.
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We must stop K-12 now
Today’s headline is centered on the Department of Education (DepEd) due to the transition of the newly appointed chief and potential changes. Effective measures are needed to improve and enhance the educational system amidst globalization. How will Senator Sonny Angara, as the new face of DepEd, transform our educational system into a competitive one? This will be a significant challenge not only for the new head but also for the institution’s personnel.
One critical task for the new chief should be focusing on K-12, which has been in implementation for a decade. It is worth evaluating whether this program should continue or be stopped. Initially, I opposed this measure because it adds to the burden of parents and students. The idea that graduates from Grade 12 would be job-ready has not materialized for many. The old curriculum may be worth reviving instead of extending the high school journey by two years unnecessarily.
Before K-12, graduates of two-year college courses, particularly in trades and technology, could find employment instantly. Now, students must go through Grade 12 and then spend additional years finding a job, which creates further burdens. What is the point? Parents simply want their children to finish their education quickly and find employment. Why should we endure this lengthy and costly process? Free education helps the poor, but the government should focus more on economic convenience rather than extensive educational processes.
We must stop K-12 now to help families improve their lives after their children find jobs to support them. This program does not exhaustively help the people, but instead makes them more engaged in the educational process than in economic convenience.
