Manila schools division apologizes for module that put Robredo in bad light

The Division of City Schools of Manila on Friday apologized over a school module that repeatedly placed Vice President Leni Robredo in a bad light.

In a statement, the division said it already identified the writer of the instruction material to have him explain "but sad to say that he already passed away due to COVID-19."

"We sincerely apologize for any harm or inconvenience that this may have caused individuals or groups. This is definitely not the intent or the very purpose of the publication of such material," the division said.

The division said that the module was first published for senior high school students in September 2020 in preparation for school year 2020 to 2021.

It said the material didn't go through the review of the Department of Education in the National Capital Region. 

"Likewise, we apologize further to Asec. Malcolm S. Garma, then Regional Director of DepEd-NCR, and the rest of the NCR Team mentioned as part of the management team as stated in the copyright section of the published material," the division said.

"We admit that this module did not go through their conformance review—as it should—hereby placing mechanisms that should be followed in next productions, if any," it added.

'Inefficient DepEd'

Robredo, who's running for president, said the Department of Education should not have allowed modules to falsely put public officials in a bad light.

"‘Yung DepEd dapat hindi nagpapalabas ng anything– not just because ako ‘yung nasa receiving end ng ginawa, pero kahit ano na magpo-poison sa minds ng mga tao," Robredo told reporters after attending a forum on education at the University of Pangasinan.

(I am saying this not just because I am at the receiving end but the DepEd should not allow any material that will poison the minds of people.)

"Dapat hindi ‘yun pinapalusot ng DepEd. Kasi pagpapakita lang kung totoo, kung totoo na naka-lusot ito sa Grade 11 na mga modules, gustong sabihin na napaka inefficient ng DepEd," she added.

Doing better

The schools division said the questionable content had been ordered removed from its records.

"Furthermore, the unit and persons involved are now under thorough review and retooling," it said.

The division said it would strive to provide better resources and avenues for learning.

"Your child’s right to quality education shall be our top priority," it said.

"Moreover, the conduct of certain individuals, units, or groups, that may be found prejudicial to the best interest of the service will not be taken lightly and shall be subjected to thorough review and policy recommendation consistent with DepEd rules and regulations," it added. —NB, GMA News