New DepEd-Zanorte chief’s reforms draw positive reaction

By Alfonso T. Ruda

DIPOLOG CITY, Jan. 21(PIA) - -The reforms implemented by the newly-installed Officer-in-Charge of  the Zamboanga del Norte schools division have generated positive reactions from the rank-and-file and teaching personnel of the division.

Ms. Lourma I. Poculan, acting assistant schools division superintendent told the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) that Ms. Natividad P. Bayubay, the new DepED-
Zanorte chief, has given the school administrators the authority to hire and accept teachers for their respective schools.  

The authorization is embodied under Republic Act (RA)No. 9155, otherwise known as “School-Based Management System Act.”

RA 9155 states that applicants applying for teaching positions will have an edge over other applicants if they are residents of the place where teaching vacancies exist.

Poculan lauded the move of Bayubay, as this would erase any suspicion of favoritism in the hiring of teachers by the division officials as well as the allegation about “items for sale.”

“At least, if there will be complaints of any irregularity in the hiring of teachers in the public schools, the investigation will now be narrowed down to the school and it will no longer implicate the division office,” Poculan stressed.

On the need of some schools for additional teachers, Bayubay wants the school heads write the division office. ”If the office finds the request reasonable, appropriate actions will taken in their favor,” Poculan said. 

Bayubay officially assumed her post last Jan. 14 as acting schools division superintendent after DepED-Zanorte officer-in-charge Sunny Ray F. Amit was transferred to Bukidnon. (FPG/ATR/PIA9-Zambo Norte)