Six Philippine Science High School students who allegedly shared lewd photos of their female classmates online were barred from joining their graduation ceremony, the school announced yesterday.
In a statement, the PSHS said that the Board of Trustees “decided not to allow the six students in the PSHS Main Campus involved in the controversy to march at the graduation ceremony.”
“Three of the students will get their diplomas while the other three will only get certificates of completion of the six-year program,” the statement read.
The students will also have to comply with the additional requirements that are part of the sanctions given to them.
The school also urged the public to “move forward from this incident and provide the needed supports to the students and the PSHS community.”
Students and parents have rallied in front of the PSHS main campus to protest the board’s earlier decision to allow the students to graduate. An online petition was also launched to which urged to reverse the BoT’s decision.
Department of Science and Technology Secretary and PSHS Board of Trustees ex-officio chairman Fortunato dela Peña said that there are more things things to be monitored now in the activities and behavior of the young people, the scholars, and the students.
“As we can see new technologies can make our lives better but their use can also be abused. I am afraid that this is not just a PSHS or Pisay problem. Educators, parents, and others who have a hand in molding our young should join hands to look into these concerns and do something about it. We are concerned with the future of our youth including those who make mistakes in the process of growing up,” Dela Peña said. (Dhel Nazario)
