Outraged students from Sta. Monica National High School (SMNHS) turned to online platforms to protest what they described as humiliating treatment by school authorities over the school’s disciplinary methods after reports surfaced of students being forced to strip off their “baggy pants” during a flag-lowering ceremony last Friday, February 20.
Based on reports reaching Palawan Daily, the incident began with an announcement from Head Teacher Mary Genevive Berezo regarding student haircuts in preparation for upcoming examinations. However, the situation grew tense when another Head Teacher, Joey Huerte, took the floor.
One student, who spoke to Palawan Daily on an anonymous basis for fear of administrative reprisal, claimed that Huerte openly ordered all students wearing oversized or baggy pants to remain behind. Following this, they were allegedly forced to remove their pants, while others reportedly fled in fear and extreme embarrassment.
While some students admitted to signing a waiver or agreement form regarding the school’s dress code, parents and students have questioned the officials’ manner of enforcement.
“Rules are rules, but it doesn’t seem right to force children to strip in public. These are minors,” expressed a concerned citizen. There were also reports that students were threatened that their pants would be burned, an approach labeled as tone-deaf to the students’ circumstances, considering the cost of clothing that parents work hard to afford.
The DepEd Child Protection Policy (DO 40, s. 2012) replaces traditional punishment with a “protection” framework that maintains zero tolerance for any act harming a student’s physical or emotional well-being.
Under this policy, student dignity is an absolute right, requiring all disciplinary actions to be private, purposeful, and respectful. Any corrective measure intended to “teach a lesson” through humiliation or by making a child feel worthless is legally classified as abuse rather than education.
Aside from the pants controversy, a complaint also surfaced against a female security guard at the school who allegedly physically hurt a student without a clear reason. According to reports, the guard denied the accusations when confronted by parents, further heightening tensions on campus.
Palawan Daily immediately attempted to reach the administration of Sta. Monica National High School to clarify the controversy. However, the publication failed to secure any official statement from the school.
Both Berezo and Huerte have also not responded to messages sent to them as of press time.
Palawan Daily remains open to receiving a statement from the SMNHS administration. Currently, parents are calling on school leadership to adopt more orderly and humane ways of engaging with students, emphasizing that schools should serve as a “safe space” rather than a place of fear and disrespect.
