I am a 24-year-old teacher in a public school with a master’s degree, and I’m a candidate for my Ph.D. I am also pregnant and unwed.
My boyfriend, who is currently working in the US, will be coming home in December. We are planning to marry immediately, as I might lose my job (our bread and butter) if he doesn’t.
Unfortunately, my doctor told me that I am experiencing an anembryonic pregnancy. I have to undergo immediate dilation and cutterage, locally known as “raspa,” this month, because it is not good for my health to carry a dead fetus.
My problem is my maternity leave. My principal will not grant me such leave unless I file a paper stating that I am already married—with a marriage certificate, at that. How can I show her that certificate if I still have to wait for the arrival of my boyfriend?
I know I was being immoral for getting pregnant out of wedlock, but hello. Am I the only public school teacher in the Philippines who got pregnant before marriage? Some are lucky to have their boyfriends near them when they are forced to get married. But mine is not!
Would she force my boyfriend to come home and marry me now and waste P150,000 when he is coming home anyway in December? Can’t she be considerate enough? Is there any law that covers unmarried women working in the government? —FURIOUS TEACHER!
Answer:
Let your principal be informed that our country has already come out of the dark ages, and enlightenment should have reached a lot of constipated minds, including hers, by now.
The Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000 (Republic Act No.8972), signed during the term of President Estrada, “….provides benefits and privileges to solo parents and their children…” It is imperative for this principal to educate herself with the laws of the land, specifically concerning her co-workers. I believe that though your pregnancy has unfortunately been terminated, you can still be technically considered a parent.
And why are you calling yourself immoral? Immorality is a term that cuts a broad swath on the horizon. Unless there is a moral impediment involved in this relationship, such as you being impregnated by a married man, the term shouldn’t be used lightly against single consenting adults. Is your boyfriend married, by any chance?
Let the law work for your rights and defend you against unmitigated biases. Enough of these constraints that are so unduly oppressive and unnecessary!
How could your principal be ignorant of this? Where has she been hiding all these years—under a boulder in the hinterlands?
Email [email protected] or [email protected]—SUBJECT: LIFESTYLE)
