Closing night high schools?: Rama belie critics’ allegations

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama belied yesterday allegations by his critics that he wants to close Night High Schools in Cebu City.

He said he never considered a closure as he has also seen how helpful it has been in providing education to those who work in the morning and want to study in the evening.

The mayor said though he is seriously considering imposing changes in the system after reports that premarital and early pregnancy is rampant among minors attending Night High School classes.

“Naa man gud nang mga report na daghang mamabdos. (There are reports that many get pregnant.) Therefore, it is worth to be looked into,” Rama said.

Rama said that he plans to meet soon with the Department of Education and the Local School Board to discuss the matter.

Among the things about Night High School that he wants straightened out are things like who supervises and if the students are getting quality education. He also wants to know if there are enough teachers and if they are getting the right compensation.

Rama said he wants to know if Night High Schools have their own Principals and Superintendent.

“Wa man gani ta kahibaw kung tungahon ba gyud sila sa maestro kay basin gamay ra kaayo ang sweldo sa maestra, (We don’t even know if the teachers really show up for class because they might have meager salaries.)” Rama said.

Rama observed that it is unsually noisy in night high schools whenever he passes by at night, which he said should not be the case if children are seriously attending their classes.

Rama’s critics alleged that he plans to close the Night High School program that was started by Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young, who used to be his ally.

The Night High School that was replicated in other parts of the country earned Young the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippine Award in 1994. –/MIT (FREEMAN)