DepEd rushing to distribute erroneous textbooks

MANILA, Philippines - After being caught flatfooted on errors in high school textbooks, the Department of Education (DepEd) admitted it was unaware of the violation of the one-China policy in textbooks. Worse, Education Undersecretary Franklin Sunga said the distribution of the textbooks will be rushed in time for the opening of classes June 10, unless ordered halted by DepEd Sec. Jesli Lapus. "I have to be candid, I don't know the content of that book. Ang pagkaalam ko one-China policy tayo, I'm not really in foreign affairs (I have to be candid, I don't know the content of that book. I know we follow the one-China policy but I'm not really into foreign affairs)," Sunga said in an interview on dwIZ radio. Sunga said, however, that they will look into it if education secretary Jesli Lapus orders it. Earlier reports indicated a batch of elementary textbooks that the education department ordered printed in China threaten to violate the one-China policy by regarding Taiwan as a country. Under the One-China policy, the Philippines considers Taiwan an economy but not a separate country, recognizing China instead. China considers Taiwan as one of its provinces. "I'm sure Sec. Lapus will look into it and ask me to look into that," Sunga said. But for now, he said that since the books had been bid out, they should be distributed. Sunga added that if the cover of the book is "not so controversial," they will distribute them. "Kailangan yan sa simula ng klase dapat ang estudyante natin may libro (We have to distribute them to our students in time for the opening of classes)," Sunga said. Sunga said they are aiming to have a ratio of one textbook for each student in five core subjects. He said there will be another procurement of books by the DepEd if only to meet the 1:1 ratio. Meanwhile, Sunga reminded teachers that collections will be allowed only one month after classes start, with the collections undertaken by the groups concerned and not by teachers. He said there will be a specific day for the collections, and "it is the organization" such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts that will collect. - GMANews.TV