Batad teachers, PTA, brgy execs unite vs ouster of principal
Nineteen out of 21 teachers in an elementary school in Batad, Iloilo signified its collective call for the immediate ouster of their principal. The oust-moves likewise generated support from barangay officials here and officers of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA).
Addressed to Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Superintendent Raymundo Lapating, subject of the "Request to Transfer Out" was Rowena Calimpong, Principal II of the Binon-an Elementary School, School District of Batad.
The News Today (TNT) obtained copies of the request with the complainant-teachers citing six reasons starting off with the supposed failure of Calimpong to perform as expected.
"She fails to perform her administrative and supervisory functions as Principal II of the school due to frequent unavailability of her physical presence in her office and in the school," the first reason as stated by the teachers went.
Calimpong, the group added, likewise failed to be the liaison officer of the school district because of same reason – "she does not usually attend District Staff Meetings/Conferences and other activities regularly."
Further still, the teachers stated, was Calimpong's alleged failure to consult the school community in school projects using donated funds.
Binon-an Elementary School was once the beneficiary of ABS-CBN's Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) fund.
"In fact, she implemented projects using PBB Fund of P50,000 and MOOE of more than 46,000 pesos, school year 2007-2008 all by herself, without consulting the teachers for proper planning and liquidation," the letter continued.
A source said that one of Calimpong's moves that was not brought to the group's attention was her alleged decision to use the schoolchildren's government rice allocation as "payment" for the laborers' services. A painting job was supposedly meant to be the counterpart-service of parents yet laborers were hired.
Incidentally, TNT received a copy of an ABS-CBN letter acknowledging Calimpong's disbursement of the P50,000. Among the repeated expenses were Smart cellphone loads, meals, several kilos of "Lampirong" and "Locon" (prawn).
"May we also ask for the summary of expenses of the remaining P275,000.00 donation so we can summarize the total expenses used on the renovation of the School Building of Binon-an Elementary School, Batad, Iloilo," the letter of network's representative went.
The teachers also want Calimpong out of Binon-An because of purported insensitivity and "derogatory remarks to her subordinates."
"….it is evident that while her accomplishments rise to heights, her negative personality traits come into surface. She becomes arrogant and demeans our well-being through her words and conduct. Thus, fostering unfavorable working environment for us, her subordinates," the teachers continued.
And finally, the teachers want no more of Calimpong's administration for allegedly building a wall between parents and the teachers.
'In fact, she no longer recognizes the role and functions of duly elected and incumbent PTA officers," they said while also stating the group's displeasure of how Calimpong supposedly used the media "for her own interest."
A joint Resolution was also unanimously passed by the Barangay Council of Binon-An and the Binon-An Elementary School PTA for Calimpong's "transfer out.
Zimmar Balinas, PTA president wrote a separate letter asking for the endorsement of the town's school board while the barangay council's move was pushed by Barangay Kagawad Teddy Arceño. Chairman of the Committee on Education.