JEDDAH, 6 October 2003 — A rigid screening process awaits parents who want for run for a seat in the Board of Trustees of the controversial International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ), a Ministry of Education official said yesterday.
Mansour Ghazali, the ministry’s director of foreign schools, said the minimum requirements for an aspirant is that he or she must be a Filipino national with a child officially enrolled at the IPSJ.
An aspirant would be admitted as a candidate only if he or she has an independent working visa, has a college graduate with diploma from any college or university, have a valid resident permit (Iqama), has no outstanding balance (including old accounts) at IPSJ, is a holder of a “good position” in a reputable company, and is a peace-loving and law-abiding expatriate.
Candidates are also required to secure a certificate of “good moral character” from the Philippine Consulate, plus a certification from their sponsor duly authenticated by the Chamber of Commerce stating their position, salary, and a “no objection” certificate to serve as a school board member.
Candidates who have fulfilled these requirements would also be personally interviewed by a panel to be formed by the MOE in coordination with the Philippine Consulate, Ghazali said.
“The purpose of this rigid screening is to make sure that the future leaders of IPSJ are reliable and have the capability and dedication to put back the school into the right direction,” Ghazali said in an interview.
He said the permission to conduct an election will only be requested from the governor of Jeddah once all the pertinent papers and formalities are completed.
As of yesterday, 12 aspirants have filed their candidacy and more are expected as the deadline draws near. Deadline for submission of application will be on Oct. 8.
Ghazali said members of the rival school boards — the elected board headed by Efren Rodriguez and the so called “Interim Board” of Fidel Hernandez — are disqualified from running. Also disqualified are personnel of the Philippine Consulate and its attached services.
For the voters, only parents who are Filipino nationals, with child or children currently and officially enrolled at the school, with valid Iqama and without outstanding balance including old account, would be allowed to vote.
Members of the faculty and staff are not allowed to vote.
Interim school principal Ameerah S. Ali, in her speech at the recent induction of officers of the Grave IV Parents-Teachers Group (PTG), urged all eligible parents to run and help reshape the school.
“Let us help one another to put back the school in the right track We can only achieve success and prosperity through collective efforts and unity among ourselves,” she said.
The Grade IV PTG, led by their president Ali Olama, were sworn into office on Thursday by Usman Islao, overall of chair of the Parents-Teachers Council (PTC), comprising the presidents of the PTGs from the pre-school to high school levels.