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Thursday, October 07, 2004
Principal sanctions fraternity members
NINETEEN students of the Marigondon National High School in Lapu-Lapu City were transferred to different public schools for joining fraternities and sororities.
School principal Edgardo Baring based the sanction that he imposed on the students on Department of Education (DepEd) Order 20, which prohibits fraternities and sororities in elementary and secondary schools.
He also cited DepEd Service Manual Series of 2000, which punishes with suspension or expulsion, hazing in any form or manner whether in or out of the school campus.
The move is also seen to break the group and make it inactive by preventing its members from bonding.
He said the students were given due process after their activity was uncovered in the first week of August.
The investigation showed that the students were given seven to 30 paddle whips during the group’s welcome ceremony, and another 50 paddle whips on their second meeting.
During the acceptance ritual, the students were given marks, like slash on the skin and tattoo marks on specific places.
It was confirmed that they joined a fraternity and underwent initiations, the element strictly prohibited by DepEd’s memorandum.
DepEd Regional Director Carolino Mordeno issued a memorandum last Sept. 7, 2004 urging school officials to constantly remind their elementary and high school students of the prohibition against fraternities and sororities.
Baring denied reports that he expelled the students. This is seen as too harsh a punishment and will destroy their future, he said.
He said the students’ transfer is only for this school year. If they show good performance, he will gladly accept them back next year if they apply.
But of the 19 students, 13 are graduating. Two are in their third year, three are second year students, while one is a freshman.
He said the students were already distributed to Gun-ob National High School, Basak Night High School, Abono National High School and Maribago National High School.
Seven of the students, however, are still “floating,” Baring admitted. He said Maribago principal Lucia Zapanta is having second thoughts of accepting these seven because she already earlier accepted four others.
He said Schools Division Superintendent Serena Uy already assured to facilitate the students’ temporary transfer.
Baring is confident that everything will soon be settled, including the seven floating students, when Uy returns from Manila today. (OCP)
(October 7, 2004 issue)
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