College editors may file complaint vs QCSHS for suspending pupils over blog

MANILA, Philippines — The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) is considering filing a complaint against officials of the Quezon City Science High School (QCSHS) for suspending four students who posted a blog criticizing its principal. The CEGP tagged the decision to penalize the students with a 10-day suspension as "campus repression." CEGP national president Vijae Alquisola said the group would probably file the complaint on behalf of the students at the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Congress. "It is disturbing to learn that high school students, in their very young age, are being subjected to this kind of campus repression, their right to freedom of speech and expression undermined," Alquisola said in a statement. Instead of punishing the students, the school officials should have encouraged the youth’s views as blogging "is a mere venue for students to air out their demands and democratic rights," Alquisola said. CEGP's remark came following decision of the QCSHS to suspend the four students over a blog entry that allegedly criticized the school administration, particularly its principal Dr. Zenaida Sadsad. The 10-day suspension was approved by the Quezon City Schools Division, a television report aired over GMA News 24 Oras Wednesday said. Sadsad said the blogs against them was not just damaging to them but to the school's reputation as well. She added that the blog entry caused alarm among their alumni. On top of that, Alquisola also chided the QCSHS for the alleged closure of the school’s official publication. He said the suspension reportedly brought on the closure of QCSHS' school publications - "The Electron" and "The Banyuhay." CEGP also called on the Education Department to "intervene in the overkill of disciplinary measures." On Wednesday, DepEd Undersecretary Franklin Sunga on Wednesday warned educators’ against being "onion-skinned" in the face of criticism. He said educators should bear in mind the constitutional right of every person, including the students, to freedom of speech and expression. Alquisola acknoledged Sunga's statement, but said: "It falls short of acting on the injustice done to the students." CEGP said the emotional, social, and psychological effects of the suspension on the students should be studied. "It must surely be a blow to the young ones to be humiliated and treated in such a way," Alquisola said. "It also sends a wrong and chilling message to other students that in high school, freedom of speech and expression are not recognized." - Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV