By Teachers’ Dignity Coalition national chairman Benjo Basas
We welcomed the strong anti-corruption pronouncement of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, particularly on issues involving appointments, promotions, and designations within the Department of Education (DepEd). We, however, emphasized the need for a more proactive response from the DepEd leadership, especially in light of persistent reports of a pay-for-position scheme in public schools.
The group has received similar information in the past, with allegations that certain individuals are asked to pay money in exchange for promotion or plantilla teaching or administrative positions.
These are not new to us. Over the years, we have received reports of this nature, but most of our sources refuse to be identified, even those they are implicating, because of fear of retaliation or career repercussions.
We commended the secretary’s firm stance against corruption, calling it a step in the right direction. However, relying solely on voluntary reports may not be sufficient.
We appreciate Secretary Angaras commitment to integrity and professionalism in DepEd, but we strongly urge his office to initiate its own investigation. These practices wont stop unless there is a clear signal that the agency is serious about rooting them out, even without formal complaints, he added.
We would like to point out that a culture of fear and silence persists among rank-and-file employees, making it difficult for victims to come forward.
Trust in the system must be rebuilt. If DepEd wants people to speak up, it must show that it is willing to act decisively, even on anonymous or unofficial information and that no one will be spared, not even those who hold power in the field.
We reaffirmed our zero tolerance for pay-for-position schemes and vowed to cooperate with the Department and other agencies to expose and address corruption in the system.
This is a matter of justice and fairness. Positions in government should be earned through merit and competence, not purchased. Just imagine the kind of system we are building if those who manage it are willing to sell positions, and those tasked with educating our children simply bought their way in. Corruption has no place in our education system.
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition continues to push for a stricter and truly credible system of hiring, merit, and promotion in the DepEd, one that ensures only the most qualified candidates are chosen for teaching and leadership positions throughout the agency.