Principal in toga incident relieved

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the removal of a school principal involved in a controversial graduation ceremony in Antique, Malacañang said Friday.

In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said that Marcos ordered the Department of Education (DepEd) to immediately act on the incident that gained widespread attention on social media.

"Because of the directive from the president, DepEd Secretary Angara acted immediately, and the teacher in question has been removed as principal of the said school," she said.

Despite the principal's removal from her administrative post, Castro said she was still permitted to teach in other public schools, pending further review.

"She was only removed from being principal. Her license is not something that can be taken away by order of the president or the DepEd secretary," Castro said.

The Palace official also said that the DepEd would ensure that any cases related to the principal's conduct would be thoroughly reviewed.

"They are still allowed to teach, but of course, their behavior will still be assessed," she said. "That's important, especially since they are a teacher."

The issue stemmed from a graduation ceremony in Laua-an, Antique, on April 15, where a principal allegedly made students remove their togas.

The Education department earlier said there was no policy prohibiting the wearing of togas.

"There is no prohibition under DepEd Memorandum No. 27, s. 2025 and under DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2023, the prescribed attire for graduation and moving-up ceremonies includes casual or formal wear or the school uniform," the DepEd said.

"The toga or sablay may be worn as an optional supplementary garment," it added.

The Schools Division of Antique said that it had already organized an investigation team and ordered the school head and other concerned officials to submit an incident report with an appropriate intervention plan.