THE GREAT DIVIDE

THE GREAT DIVIDE

It had been quite some time that I was able to fill this column. Reason is I had been very busy in my profession as a teacher. After almost five years of experience as a private school teacher, I am now in the public school.
After more than three months in the public school, I can’t help but compare it to the private schools I had worked with.
It was here where I saw the great divide between those children “who have” and those “who have nots” in life.
When I came to public school, the room assigned to me has a leaking roof. Everytime it rains, my pupils ready the buckets and the mop. While I am having my lecture, one pupil has to mop the floor or else we will be walking in a slippery wet floor.
As cleaning materials, we have a handful of old brooms and a dust pan without a handle. That means I have to buy the needed materials in order to maintain the cleanliness of my classroom.
Books? What books? Oh! I forgot, we do have some books-one. As in only one for thirty eight pupils in our Science subject. Four Reading Books and well, at least half of the class have books during Filipino and English. Well, one good way to teach them the value of sharing huh?.
Of course, in private schools the school’s administration provides the facilities and the needed repair of rooms. The children even have their own books and workbooks.
In private schools, most children don’t just have bags but they use trolleys. Because their school materials are heavy for them to carry on their backs. While with my pupils right now, I should already be thankful everytime half of the class brings their notebooks with a pencil. Most of them can’t even afford to buy decent clothes for school. Some of my pupils has to wear tattered clothes in school.
However, I never have any regrets being in a public school. Why should I? It was here where I discovered that teaching is more than earning money but a calling. A calling to serve those who are lesser in life.
Teaching is indeed a noble profession, much nobler if you dedicate it to those who can’t afford an education with complete classroom facilities, books and learning materials.
I would like to express my thanks to the administration of Altavas Elementary School because of their help that I was able to adjust quickly in the public school. To Sir Rolando Doroteo, our Principal, the heads of the different departments, my co teachers and of course, my pupils.
This space would also like to take this opportunity to call the attention of the DepEd and national government officials to do something to improve our system of education. If they envision a Cyber Educated populace in the future, perhaps it could be a better start if we repair the roofs of classrooms and provide more books to our learners.
Have a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year everyone. Welcome 2008!
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