Religious courses in PSS curriculum sparks debate

A proposal to include religious courses in the Public School System’s curriculum sparked debate at the Board of Education yesterday, following a recommendation by the board’s Committee on Instruction and Curriculum.

Based on PSS policy 2510, no religious course credits can be accepted by public schools, even as electives.

Board vice chair Herman T. Guerrero said it is the board’s responsibility to maintain the integrity of the system, separating its function from that of the religious sector.

CIA committee chair Tanya King disclosed that the recommendation was a result of “valid concerns” raised by the private schools’ representative that many transferees from private schools may not complete their graduation requirements because they are short on credits.

The board changed the graduation requirements from 21 credits to 28 in 2006.

This year will be the first batch of graduates to be affected by this amendment.

Yesterday, it was proposed that any religious courses be accepted as elective credits for graduating students who need to have 28 credits to graduate.

Private schools such as Mount Carmel School, Grace Christian Academy and Marianas Baptist Academy are just among the schools that have a strong religious curriculum.

‘Troubling’

“Why do we need to push for it? What’s the motive? The standards and benchmarks are the guiding force for PSS…and it will be very troubling if religion is included in it,” Guerrero told the board, adding that it’s the board’s goal to maintain the integrity of the benchmarks and standards.

For board member Galvin Deleon Guerrero, “inconsideration” to the plight of students is in contrast to what the board and the system say about putting “Student First.”

“It’s like penalizing students for the decision made by their parents when they transferred to public schools because of the bad economy,” he said.

Guerrero maintained his opposition to the proposal.

“Although we’re both serving public and non-public schools, I don’t want to see this board being driven by the private schools’ interest. Their transfer to public schools was the choice made by their parents,” he said.

He said the board will be crossing a threshold if it gives in to this matter.

Guerrero urged members to think creatively. “Why don’t we just give an examination to these students instead of accepting the religious courses to become elective credits for them? We should think outside the box before we come up with such a proposal that I personally feel would bring us more trouble,” he said.

Board chair Lucy Blanco Maratita said approving the proposal will expose the board to a “legal battle.”

“What if the student’s religious course was from India?” she asked.

Blanco-Maratita asked Education Commissioner Dr. Rita Sablan to come up with more “analysis” and “inputs” on the issue with PSS stakeholders.

Sablan admitted that PSS has yet to know the number of students who may be affected or are being affected at present. She promised to conduct more deliberations on the issue to come up with “more rational” solution.