Tejero, Inayawan teachers undergo drug testing

CEBU, Philippines - Teachers of two public schools in Cebu City were subjected yesterday to a drug test conducted by the City Office on Substance Abuse Prevention.

COSAP personnel administered two simultaneous drug tests at the Inayawan Elementary School and Tejero National High School after holding a seminar on the ill-effects of illegal drugs.

In Tejero National High School, 36 out of 41 teachers had undergone a surprise drug test as five teachers skipped the test.

Of the five teachers, one is reportedly on maternity leave while three others are pregnant. The fifth allegedly refused to take the test.

At the Inayawan Elementary School, at least 31 of the 114 teachers underwent the random testing.

COSAP chief Dr. Alice Utlang said the office would have wanted to place everyone under the drug test but she explained that they had a hard time containing the number of teachers in the school’s open space where they conducted the test.

The results of the two separate tests will be released today.

Prior to the two schools, a drug test was conducted at the Bulacao Community Elementary School last October 27. All its 70 teachers underwent the test and showed negative of drug use.

The same case happened in Talamban National High School where none of its 89 teachers were found positive on drug use.

Other schools that underwent the test were Abellana National High School, Don Carlos A. Gothong Memorial High School and the City Central School.

The surprise drug test for teachers in public schools is mandated by the Department of Education.

Utlang said these public schools are situated in barangays that are seriously affected by the illegal drug trade.  (FREEMAN)