SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian questioned the Department of Education on the rationale behind Department Order No. 7, series of 1, which mandates that school heads and principals be transferred to other schools after three to five years.

“What is the rationale for 3 or 5 years? What do studies say?” Gatchalian asked.

“Bakit nga ba three years? May paniniwala na doon mismo, parang wala na’ng innovation. Sa loob ng tatlo o limang taon, nagawa na niya [school head or principal] ang lahat. In the eyes of a newcomer, there might be some new vision,” explained DepEd Undersecretary Wilfredo Cabral.

However, Gatchalian noted that this approach might not be suitable for science high schools. “For example, in Valenzuela, we have a very math- and science-focused principal. When they undergo rotation, they are sometimes replaced by a principal without a science focus, which disrupts the whole concept of a science school. Hindi siya pwedeng one-size-fits-all,” he said.

Gatchalian suggested re-evaluating the policy for special schools. Pasig City Representative Roman Romulo agreed, stating, “We must rationalize the policies that we have. Wala naman akong problema kung sabihin niyong for life na siya as a principal sa isang school – kasi he or she is performing well there. Perfect ‘yun, that should be rewarded.”

EDCOM 2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee added, “It is high time for DepEd to rationalize and update DepEd orders on school principals—dating back to 1997, 1999, 2011—to ensure that policies are coherent and responsive to our realities today.”