Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 26) — The Department of Education said it will look into reports that there are teachers who buy research materials that they need to be promoted.
“Ito po ay ipai-imbestiga natin. Maghahanap tayo ng mga proweba na nangyayari nga ito,” Education Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio said during the Laging Handa briefing on Tuesday.
[Translation: We will investigate this. We will look for evidence that this is really happening.]
San Antonio said he has been receiving reports of such incidents even before, but no proof was found during their previous investigations.
He then urged those who report to provide necessary details to help hasten investigation and to prevent other sectors of the society from becoming “intellectual prostitutes.”
“Gusto po namin yong mga nagre-report mismo ay magbigay ng detalye para mas maging madali ang pagi-imbestiga at pag-bibigay ng tamang atensyon sa mga ganyang gawain,” he said. “Kahit po si Secretary Liling (Briones)… hindi nya papayagan na gagawing intellectual prostitutes ang mga ibang sektor ng ating lipunan.”
[Translation: We want those who report to give details for easier investigation and to be able to give the right attention to this act. Even Sec. Liling will not allow other sectors of the society to be intellectual prostitutes.]
In a recent hearing, basic education committee chair Senator Sherwin Gatchalian urged DepEd to immediately look into allegations that some teachers are buying research papers or paying people do the study for them so they can be promoted.
San Antonio noted that the agency has a program to support teachers who are doing research, the Basic Education Research Fund. This is an assistance provided by the DepEd to support research in the education sector to help in crafting evidence-based policy.
