Cebu psychologist on DepEd: Don’t use “wasted” on children

A Cebu-based clinical psychologist has expressed her disapproval over Department of Education's description of undernourished children as "wasted," saying it takes out their dignity.

"I think wala kahibaw ang children sa category. Pero lain gihapon. I would expect more from DepEd to come up with a better term. After all, education man ila main job. Part of education is making sure that we don't strip people of dignity," said psychologist Dr. Anna Oaminal-Watin of AKVO Applied Psychology Clinic.

Watin, who also advocates children's welfare, said categorizing children as "wasted" or "severely wasted" is "mean and degrading."

"What comes to mind when you say the word wasted? Di ba basura. We also use the word wasted for a person who is severely drunk. Like when he can no longer do something for example walk, talk, drive. We say 'he is so wasted.'" she said.

The local DepEd has reportedly been using these terms on their reports to their respective districts in reference to undernourished pupils.

In its website, doh.gov.ph, the department has also used the term "severely wasted" to children who need to undergo regular feeding.

"The Department of Education’s school-based feeding program (SBFP) targets over 42,000 severely-wasted beneficiaries in the person of children suffering from undernutrition to bring them back to health and improve their school performance," read an article posted in DepEd's website.

Watin said DepEd should use "appropriate terms" instead.

"DepEd should find the appropriate terms. They may be well meaning but the terms wasted and severely wasted are degrading," she said.