I have read the posts regarding the PSHS Board of Trustees' plan of giving a PSHS diploma to three seniors after they take and pass a remedial Math 5 class. I am a member of Batch 1981, the infamous 13th batch that went from 241 to 171 in 4 years. There were members of our class who were asked to withdraw because their GPAs did not meet the designated cut-off. They did not necessarily fail a class or two, but did not meet the standards set by the school at the time.
In our senior year we had 2 batchmates who weren't allowed to march with us at graduation and received DepEd diplomas instead. As a student I knew what was required of me to pass each class. With the grading system set at the beginning of each school year it would be hard not to know how you fared after every exam, and the grades at the 3rd quarter of your senior year are probably the most crucial. You will work your butt off to pass. No exceptions.
And for that matter, where are the supposed high standards of a PSHS education? Some alumni have voiced giving in to these seniors, following the logic that the teacher and/or class adviser was/were partly to blame for the students' situation. Or that the seniors have invested all this time and not getting that diploma would be unfair to them. Heck, why bother applying yourself if you can take a summer class and then get the diploma? What message are the lower batches and any future PSHS students getting from this whole affair?
I do not support the BOT's policy change and seriously question their judgment on this matter. Why the decision to change a pre-existing policy of giving DepEd diplomas to those not allowed to graduate with their batch? What prompted this policy change? The idea that "the BOT feels that the 4-year "investment" in the student will be wasted without some program in place" is preposterous and should not be tolerated. Now I wonder if there are other Board activities that we need to scrutinize carefully, if only to keep OUR investment as students and alumni intact.
Vicki Saldajeno-de Leon, Ph.D.
PSHS Batch '81
(Note: This message was received through pisayforum@gmail.com on May 1, 2008)
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