BARMM probes ‘payola’ in hiring of teachers

Mohagher Iqbal file photo

COTABATO CITY—The Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is looking into alleged irregularities in the recruitment of public school teachers and support personnel.

BARMM Education Minister Mohaqher Iqbal said he had created a special investigating body to look into the complaints and allegations raised mainly through social media by those who failed to pass the hiring standards.

Iqbal, who made the announcement during the ceremonial oath-taking of newly hired teachers at the Cotabato State University gymnasium here, however, stood pat on the integrity of the process that churned out more than 900 teaching and nonteaching staff.

“While I can assure you, as far as I am concerned, that there is no truth to allegations, it has already destroyed MBHTE’s credibility,” he lamented.

“I created a special committee to look into these allegations, to ferret out the truth,” Iqbal said.

“We are not saying it exists; we are not saying it does not exist; we are not saying it is happening in the ministry; but I ordered the special committee to do its best to find [out] the truth within and outside MBHTE. We will leave no stone unturned,” he added.

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Complaints

Among those who aired their sentiments on social media was Mayor Raida Bansil Maglangit of Kapatagan, Lanao del Sur, who said that the teacher’s plantilla items were allegedly sold for as much as P300,000, although she did not offer any proof.

Maglangit asked Iqbal to investigate the matter and “even the people around you” in keeping with the BARMM leadership’s vow of moral governance.

Many of those who were not hired by MBHTE turned to social media, claiming that “moneyed applicants paid their way to get the positions.”

One applicant who failed to make it grumbled that she was qualified for a teaching post on account of her holding a master’s degree and being a consistent honor student who graduated cum laude in college.

Another posted on Facebook that she had been a “substitute teacher in the last 10 years” but did not get the permanent position, which went instead to fresh graduates who had no teaching experience.

But Iqbal said that graduating with honors was not a passport to getting hired for MBHTE’s teaching positions.

“[It can be a] plus factor but not a sole requirement,” Iqbal said.

Of the 4,000 aspirants in the two Lanao del Sur schools divisions, only 469 were hired. Those who made it took their oath on Tuesday.

“Some have questioned our process; some say money was involved. For us Muslims, the bribers and the bribed are all sinners. Suhol (bribe) is haram (forbidden or unlawful),” Iqbal pointed out.

He said the recruitment process was very stringent and competitive, requiring applicants to have civil service eligibility, experience and relevant training and to pass the written examinations and class demonstration.