Tomas wants ‘sick’ teacher removed
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday said he wants the teacher who refused to undergo mandatory drug test instituted by the City Office of Substance Abuse Prevention last Tuesday removed from his post.
“He should be taken out from the system, from the Department of Education,” he told reporters.
This was after reporters sought his reaction on the COSAP report that a teacher at Alaska Mambaling Elementary School did not submit himself to the screening.
The mayor said the teacher should be kicked out as a warning to other teachers and non-teaching personnel who will refuse to take the drug test.
COSAP Head Garry Lao divulged that the teacher refused to take the test claiming he was sick. Lao said being sick is not a valid reason to decline the random drug testing since it would not affect the result.
Told about what the mayor said, Lao said he was in favor of the decision.
“I want the teacher to be given a sanction. Teachers should serve as role model sa students. ‘Nya ni-refuse man ‘nuon siya. He should be given a sanction,” he said, adding that the refusal invited suspicion.
Lao said the Department of Education-Cebu City is now drafting a letter asking the teacher for an explanation.
In a separate interview, City Councilor Joy Augustus Young, deputy mayor for education, told reporters that he will let DepEd handle the matter.
“Kanang ni-refuse siya, makaduda na gyud na. Being sick is not an excuse. I would rather have the DepEd handle it. I think required man gyud sila ana,” he said.
Dr. Bianito Dagatan, Cebu City Schools Division superintendent, said they will ask for an explanation from the teacher.
As of yesterday, 255 teachers and non-teaching personnel from 12 public schools have been subjected to the random drug test already.
The schools are Regino Mercado Elementary School, Regino Mercado Night High School, Alaska Mambaling Elementary School, Alaska Mambaling Night High School, Cantipla Integrated School, Tabunan Integrated School, Tagbao Elementary School, Tagbao-National School, Paril Elementary School, Paril National High School, Cambinocot Elementary School, and Cambinocot High School.
Meanwhile, Lao said he asked Dagatan to temporarily put on hold the random drug test and instead come up with an assessment this week.
This is also to avoid the schedule becoming predictable.
Kung everyday, makasakop na sila nga everyday, magbantay na gyud na sila nato. Mahibaw-an nila ang trend ba, so dili sagunsunon nato,” Lao said.