Hundreds of parents show up in Batad PTA 'peace talks'
Back-to-school in Binon-an Elementary School in Batad, Iloilo saw a significant turn-out of both students and parents as the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) here called for a dialogue.
The main agenda was the controversial "transfer out" request made on the school principal with no less than the teachers calling for such. Of the 21 Binon-an Elementary School teaching staff, 19 signed the proposed transfer for Principal II Rowena Calimpong.
An apparent sympathy move was correspondingly made with a petition passed around to parents this time, seeking for the retention of Calimpong. The Binon-an PTA officers though supported the "transfer out" call alongside a unanimous backing made by the Barangay Binon-an council.
The dialogue was facilitated by the municipality with the local Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) official as moderator.
In attendance were the 19 teachers, the barangay officials, PTA officers and more than a hundred of the parents.
Batad Mayor Elvira Alarcon expressed delight on the turn-out of the dialogue saying it appeared that the entire school community was enlightened of the surrounding issues.
Both sides were heard, the lady mayor shared, with the parents able to voice out their sentiments and questions as to why the teachers called for the principal's transfer.
Meantime, a replacement was reportedly chosen by the Department of Education (DepEd) in acting capacity to take-over Calimpong's post.
This, The News Today (TNT) learned from a Bombo Radyo interview on DepEd's School Superintendent Raymundo Lapating.
The now controversial principal was said to have applied for an official leave of absence but was disapproved by Lapating.
"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 of the "transfer out" request of 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.
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.
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.