Caloocan principal in hot water over memo on SPED room

A principal in a Caloocan school is in hot water for allegedly calling students "abnormal" and for supposedly removing Special Education (SPED) students from their designated classroom.

According to Dano Tingcungco's report on "News To Go" on Wednesday, parents and teachers of the affected SPED students are mulling filing a complaint against Eustaquio Gagarra Jr. of Kalayaan National High School for his actions.

The report said SPED classes had to be conducted in hallways after they were removed from the Special Education Resource Room, the designated venue where SPED students were taught life skills and other specialized courses.

The report said a memorandum issued by Gagarra stated that, "Starting this January 3, 2016, the SPED room shall be used as regular classroom."

Gagarra defended his memorandum, saying Building 3 of the school is currently in the middle of renovation that rendered 10 classrooms unusable.

"Inilagay namin sa cover court 'yung ten sections. Suggestion was, yung 28 students ilagay niyo sa TLE room," he said, adding that the setup will only be temporary or until the renovation of Building 3 is completed.

But according to teachers and parents of SPED students, they weren't consulted regarding the matter.

Romeo Sese, president of parents' group, said, "Yung may mga kapansanan, binibigyan yan ng priority accomodation ng ating gobyerno, at nasa batas din yan eh."

"Pero yung ginawa ng principal, yung ilalabas mo sa kanila ang SPED room at ilalagay mo sa hallway, that is unjustifiable, unreasonable. Parang katumbas na rin ito ng harassment, discrimination," he added.

On Wednesday, Department of Education, Division schools Superintendent ordered the school to allow SPED students to use their designated room.

Another complaint against Gagarra was his use of the word "abnormal" in describing some of the students. The report quoted him as saying in October: "Yung mga abnormal na yan ang pinagmumulan ng gulo, sila ang pinagmumulan ng bullying sa classroom."

Gagarra said there was nothing wrong with his use of the word "abnormal."

"When I asked a doctor on what is the right word, the opposite of normal, according to a doctor, it's abnormal. Pag kulang ka ng kamay, abnormal. Pag kulang ka ng paa, that is a sign of abnormality," he said.

"My interpretation does not mean to say na, pag once na abnormal ka, siraulo," Gagarra added.  —Marlly Rome C. Bondoc/KBK, GMA News