DepEd reminds school heads vs. reassignment of teachers

To preserve the non-partisan nature and institutional integrity of the Department of Education, DepEd Undersecretary Franklin Sunga has told superintendents and regional directors to ensure that proposed transfers and reassignments should be guided by the interests of public service and not by partisan political interests.

Sunga, in a memorandum, said that except in very urgent circumstances, the effectivity dates of transfers and reassignments shall be after May 14, which is the day set for the elections.

"School heads shall be allowed to finish their tenure in their respective school assignments up to the end of the school year this month, unless present circumstances warrant their immediate reassignment," Sunga said.

He also said that requests for transfer or detail of officers or employees whose official stations are in the Central Office, regional directors and positions of similar rank irrespective of their official stations are to be filed in writing with the law department of the Commission on Elections through the office of the secretary. Also included is the transfer of employees deputized by the Comelec, irrespective of positions and official stations.

"Requests for transfer or detail of officers or employees with official stations should be filed at the office of the regional director provided that said request shall indicate the office and place to which the officer or employee is proposed to be transferred and the reasons therefore, which strongly justify the transfer or detail during the prohibited elections period," he added.

"Requests for transfer shall be strongly justified by the schools division superintendent and will be reviewed by the regional directors for submission to the DepEd central office. This will be for endorsement to the concerned Comelec regional offices for exemption from the election ban," Sunga said.

Further, Sunga said that notwithstanding the Comelec ban on appointment or hiring during the specific period of prohibited acts, the appointment and hiring of non-teaching personnel is still prohibited in view of the ongoing review of the Rationalization Plan of DepEd. - Jasmin R. Uy/MEEV