New Guidelines on Tardiness Yield Opposing Feedback

After having implemented the new guidelines on tardiness, students had different reactions
on the new policy. According to the survey, almost half of the total students' populace was
not in favor of it.
The policy stated by the start of the third quarter, “a student who comes to class beyond
7:45 a.m. shall not be allowed to join in the rest of the classes in the morning. Instead, he or she
shall go directly to the faculty room and do particular academic activities like reading,
memorizing, answering worksheets and the likes. “
"This policy was conceptualized due to the increasing number of late students." Mr.
Junriel Sinarillos, the Teacher - in - Charge said. "The teachers of Gala National High School were
alarmed of the situation. It seemed to have become normal among the students to come to
school late because many of them were not worried to incur tardiness despite constant
reminders. Hence, we needed to do something. We needed to let the students realize that
coming to school late is not normal. And so the policy on tardiness was born." He further
explained.
Ms. Angel Sumatra, a third-year student who lives in Cavinte, a barangay very far from
the school expressed her stand on the new policy.
"Personally, I disagree with the new policy," she said. "The teachers should have
considered those students who are living far away from the school. It's never easy to walk fast in
a long distance. Of course, I need to take rest once in a while. But with the new policy, I think I
am deprived of that. Hence, I ar-think 1 am deprived of that. Hence, I arrive at school very tired
all the time.”
Mr. Dandie C. Somoson, one of the school's faculty members reiterated the policy was
not implemented to punish students.
"We are just after of the welfare of our students." Somoson said. "We are doing this not
because we want the students to suffer, but because we want them to become responsible
individuals who know how to value time. The teachers know there are students living far away
from school, but we also want to teach them how to fight against distance and time in achieving
their goals in life. It's hard for them to understand this by now, but soon I know they will." He
added.
Another student, Janvier Lausa, fourth year, expressed his disagreement on the new
policy. He said that students in the mountain can't really avoid being late sometimes because
again, of distance. He further said, "The punishment scares us, instead of attending classes even
if we are late, we would rather go back home, be absent from the class in order not to
memorize poems in the office."
Some students also favored on the new policy. Lorie May Canoy, third year student,
voiced out that it's good to Start the day, the class with many classmates present.
"I like it now because I get to see many classmates attending the first period in the
morning," Canoy said.
"Before, there were only a few of us, but now almost always everyone is present in the
first period. More than that, the new policy has driven us to become responsible students."
Joel Cuevas, SSG Treasurer also gave his stand. The new policy is a good idea to make
our school better," he said. "It challenges the students to wake up early to avoid punishment.
According to Juljane Alegrado, another fourth year, she was often scolded by her mother
because of unfinished work. "I won't finish my work because I need to go to school early. The
policy must be changed."
Judie Ann Cabahug, a fourth year who lives in Guimad expressed, "There will be a
possibility to fail in every subject because of that new policy. Imagine, a student would be
absent from his/her classes in the morning if he/she is late! She exclaimed.
Mrs. Christine Joy Lomocso, the Guidance Coordinator also expressed her stance.
"With the new policy, I couldn't say anymore 'Good morning chairs!' but now it is 'Good
morning class!' she quoted. "I'm happy to see students coming to school early. At the very least,
students will learn self-discipline on time management in preparation for the real life scenario
they will soon engage in getting a job." Lomocso added.
Despite disapproval of some students on the new policy, the teachers of Gala National
High School would still continue its effect, for accordingly, it brought about a good solution to
the perennial problem of students' tardiness.