JEDDAH, 10 November 2002 — Filipino parents and teachers yesterday appealed to the Saudi Ministry of Education (MOE) to intervene and settle the crisis at the International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ) before violence erupts.
A number of parents called Arab News to say either the MOE should actively intervene or allow the Philippine Consulate General to resume its supervisory role.
"We fear for the safety of our children," said one parent, who asked not to be named.
The callers said they were getting desperate as they saw no forthcoming resolution to the standoff, with the group led by Fidel Hernandez taking physical control of the school but the Board of Trustees (BOT) chaired by Efren Rodriguez is still in control of the finances.
Yesterday, a class boycott called by the Rodriguez faction and a third one that split from Hernandez’s group was reportedly to have crippled school operations, although the Hernandez camp called it a flop.
Arab News visited the school before noontime yesterday and the administrative officer and some teachers claimed that the school was functioning normally.
Kareema Maranda, who was designated administrative officer by Hernandez, said only 25 percent of about 70 teachers heeded the boycott call, while only five percent of 1,235 students did not turn up.
"Look for yourself, it's all normal here. There has been no big response to the boycott call," said Hernandez, who pointed to the presence of parents loitering around the school.
"I don't even call it a boycott. This action is meant to intimidate and harass parents because the ousted BOT of Efren Rodriguez has realized that the parents who were with them are now moving to our side," Hernandez also said in a telephone interview.
He said some of the teachers who did not come to work even called to express regret for following the boycott call.
"They are sorry for themselves because we have instructed them to explain why they refused to come to work," he said.
Contrary claim
In a separate interview, Rodriguez and the so-called third bloc claimed that the boycott call was a "big" success.
A member of the "third bloc" said the boycott will continue today but they will let their children return to school tomorrow.
"This two-day boycott is just a warning to both the Rodriguez and Hernandez blocs to resolve their dispute because it is affecting our children," said one of the leaders, who asked not to be named.
"If it’s true that classes were normal, why did Hernandez call one of our colleaggues to complain about the boycott?" he added.
Dr. Reinita Respicio, the school principal who was "fired" by the Hernandez group, said classes were held yesterday but it was "not normal."
She said about half of the teachers came and about 200 students and pupils were present. "We had to gather them together and hold classes because we didn’t want them to wander around. They are our responsibility," she said.
Dr. Respicio clarified that they want to take a neutral stance on the political rivalry involving parents.
"Our teachers are confused because while the BOT has the Education Ministry on its side, the other group is claiming to have the Consulate on its side. Now they are claiming that Ambassador (Bahnarim) Guinomla is also now on their side," she told Arab News.
Rumor-mongers
Hernandez said he was appealing to other parents "who have been misled" not to listen anymore to "rumors being spread by Rodriguez and his cohorts."
"I’m appealing to you all to support us so that we can move forward in resolving this crisis caused by the ousted BOT," he said.
He said there is a pressing need to look for funds so that the salary of teachers won’t be delayed. He accused the Rodriguez BOT of looting the school coffers.
"We have documents to back up our charges," he said, promising that all the anomalies would be exposed.
Hernandez also challenged the "third bloc" of parents that broke away "to rejoin us if they are really sincere in helping the school."
"It’s a shame that this so-called ‘third bloc’ is wasting its time engaging in rumor-mongering. They have exposed their true color — that their real sympathies are with the ousted BOT," he said in Tagalog.
"But it’s not surprising. Some of these people don’t really want the Rodriguez BOT to be removed because it would mean and end to their business deals," he said.
Third bloc
The "third bloc" is led by presidents of the various Parent-Teachers Groups (PTGs), namely: Lito Lazo, Nilo Lucena, Mar Marzo, Ronald Mangua, Resty Vanguardia, Chris Magno, and Muhammad Bantuas.
They said they broke away because Hernandez did not follow their original intent, which was to call for an election, and arrogated power to himself and some close friends.
"We reiterate our previous position that we want an early election so that the parents can choose who would seat in the BOT. We don’t want the overstaying Rodriguez BOT and we don’t want the power-grabbing Hernandez group," the third bloc member said.
Rodriguez, however, admitted that the boycott call was a "joint move" of his camp and third blockers.
"We’re one group," he said, bristling at a statement issued by some third-blockers that he said were "putting us in bad light."
On the complaint by some parents that his administration was nowhere to be found, Rodriguez said they were waiting for the MOE to act. "They’re not in total control," he said, warning that if the new group opens the finance department room, they would be charged with trespassing.
In launching the two-day boycott, he said, their objective "is to denounce the presence of this group that is not recognized by parents."
"These guys are not elected. Besides, we want to denounce their use of goons in this place of learning," he said.
Hernandez had repeatedly denied the presence of goons. "What you see there are parents who support our new administration," he said.
The Rodriguez camp and third blockers insist that many of the supposed parents are "istambay ng Sarawat (idlers at Sarawat), referring to the Jeddah International Market, which is a popular hangout of Filipinos in the city.
"These goons are hoping to get a job when the Hernandez group actually takes over," said one BOT member, who claims to know many of the istambays.
As for the school’s finances, Rodriguez said the BOT is ready to answer all questions when the MOE-sanctioned parents assembly is called.
"I have fulfilled my commitment to get the schedule for the assembly. It’s just being delayed because of this illegal takeover of the premises," he said.
