Teachers file maternity leaves 11 times in 3 years – DepEd
The Department of Education said it investigated an alleged “maternity leave scam” among teachers.
DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa said it had begun “to check the veracity of the statements given by the whistleblower that some teachers had filed maternity leaves up to 11 times in three years.”
Under the Expanded Maternity Leave Law or Republic Act No. 11210, enacted in 2018, it increased the maternity leave period from 60 days to 105 days for female workers with an option to extend for an additional 30 days without pay, and even granting an additional 15 days for solo mothers.
“We are currently assessing whether we can confirm those statements but for now, we assigned officers from the regional office, instead of the schools division office, to investigate the matter in order to maintain impartiality,” said Poa.
He also encouraged the whistleblower to come forward and give a formal statement to the DepEd.
Education Secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte called on DepEd personnel to report similar cases in their schools or division offices.
But the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines asked for an “independent and thorough investigation”.
ACT said “no stone should be left unturned for the whole truth to be brought to light.”
ACT said it found it “unimaginable that teacher has masterminded and executed such a racketeering act.”
It noted that claiming maternity leave benefits includes “many responsible personnel, including [school] officials.”
“It is practically gambling away his or her job, reputation and whole future, which no one would dare lose especially amid the severe economic crisis,” said ACT.
“We should get to the bottom of the matter and find the brains behind this scam and bring before the law all those who benefited from this.”
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