DepEd probes stopping of salutatorian’s speech

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) is investigating a private school in Quezon City for stopping its batch salutatorian from finishing her speech that was not approved by the school administrators. 

“We should respect the right of students to express freely their thoughts and feelings in light of existing laws and the provisions of the Constitution and in a manner and forum that is appropriate,” the DepEd said yesterday.

“The investigation will focus on what was actually said or prevented to be said by the student and other matters raised in her speech such as the alleged issues on transparency on the computation of her grades,” it added.

Graduating high school student Krisel Mallari was stopped by the emcee halfway into her speech during the graduation ceremony of the Sto. Niño Parochial School last week.

A video of the incident has gone viral on social media.

According to DepEd, it has coordinated with officials of the DepEd-National Capital Region and Quezon City Schools Division Office to investigate the matter.

“We want to find out whether the school acted within or beyond its authority when it stopped its student from delivering her prepared speech to their graduating class,” DepEd said, adding that no further statement will be issued pending result of the investigation.

School stands by decision

Officials of the Sto. Niño Parochial School issued a statement Monday night, standing by its decision to stop Mallari from delivering her “welcome remarks.”

It said the school has to approve all speeches, and that the one delivered by Mallari – who was aware of the rule – was different from the one approved by school administrators.

“The contents of her ‘welcome speech’ do not pass as a welcome speech. Instead, it attacks her fellow student, the valedictorian, whom she accused of cheating, an act she claimed was tolerated by the school,” the school said.

School officials said they showed the computation of Mallari’s grades to her father, whom they accused of harassing the teachers.

Officials maintained that they could not release the computation of grades because it is against the school policy.