Critics want Lapus, not Oreta, as DepEd chief

For all their complaints about the failings of the Department of Education (DepEd), public school teachers want incumbent Education Secretary Jesli Lapus to stay on and continue reforms he is implementing in the department.

Hearing rumors that former senator Tessie Aquino-Oreta may be appointed to the DepEd’s top post, the members of the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) expressed their support for Lapus and his continued stay in his post.

The TDC is a federation of public school teachers’ associations all over the country.

The public school teachers, usually critical of Lapus and the DepEd, have even gone as far as praising Lapus’ performance.

“Lapus is just beginning to institutionalize his reforms in the department and he has proven some,” the TDC said in an official statement regarding reports of an imminent Cabinet revamp.

President Arroyo is reportedly replacing Lapus with Oreta, who lost in the 2007 senatorial race as a candidate of the administration ticket, Team Unity. The one-year ban on the appointment of losing electoral candidates is set to end next week.

“Replacing Lapus this time is unnecessary, uncalled for and would be a disservice to education,” the TDC declared. “We may not be in constant agreement with the secretary but so far, his performance is generally outstanding.”

Under Lapus, the TDC said they appreciate “the DepEd’s sincere effort to communicate with teachers. Now, more than ever, teachers could feel that they are really part of the department.”

“Lapus and his undersecretaries have established a good relationship with the organizations in DepEd – from the union in central office to the associations of superintendents, supervisors, principals and most especially, the teachers,” the TDC added.

The group noted that Lapus’ management style “has proven to be effective in solving problems. During Lapus’ administration, foremost considerations to several teacher-related problems were significantly initiated.”

Even the more militant Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has also expressed a preference for Lapus as DepEd chief and opposed Oreta’s reported appointment.

ACT is a federation of organizations of public and private school teachers and college professors and instructors. The group said Oreta’s appointment to the DepEd’s top post is an obvious political accommodation by Mrs. Arroyo that would have an adverse effect on the public education system that has already seen five secretaries assuming the position in six years.

“We vehemently denounce the shameless politicization of the DepEd under this administration,” ACT chairman Antonio Tinio said.

He added that “political payback to the varied personalities and blocs under Malacañang’s wing has been the main consideration in these appointments, rather than the best interests of the basic education sector.”

Tinio also echoed TDC that Lapus should remain to pursue the reforms he is making at DepEd.

“The lack of continuity in the leadership of the DepEd has proved to be a serious obstacle in the pursuit of meaningful reforms in the education sector. We therefore oppose any move by Malacañang to appoint yet another politician to the DepEd post,” he said.

The TDC credits the Lapus-led DepEd for the increasing budget allocation given the department since 2006, when he assumed the DepEd’s top post.

They also thanked Lapus for the Civil Service Commission’s recent resolution that allows teachers to stay for only six hours in classrooms and addressing the teachers’ problems with their Government Service Insurance System benefits and loans.

According to the TDC, Lapus is responsible for initiating the payment of the Over-and-Above Allowance (OAA), an unpaid government obligation to teachers since the early 1990s, which has since ballooned to more than P500 million.