The great divide

(Although written more than seven years ago,and some circumstances have already changed but I think the truth in this article still rings to this day.) 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 a book- the only 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 have 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 have less 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. *** (Comments and suggestions? Email to nailbite3@yahoo.com.)

If my looks could kill...

“Frail thin as if dying like Palito!” This was a description I can very well remember by the bully boys back in high school. Now, I’m out of high school. Out of college and as a matter of fact got a job – but still frail thin as if dying like Palito. My perhaps frail brain once wondered. What if I have the looks and body of a famous movie star? Like Sam Milby or Piolo Pascual, would those boys still bully me and call me names in front of amused girls? I doubt they will envy me from head to toe. If ever I got the looks of a combined Piolo and Sam, for sure I’ll kill those bullies by just looking at me. Obsessed with getting a six pack abs like the models in MensHealth and other glossies, I browsed the net for practical tips for body building. All I got? Rigid discipline in hitting the gym and vitamins that costs as heavy as a 200 pounds barbell. Obviously are tips that are not practical in my case. Nuts! Would I really spend that much for a body that I perceive everyone would envy? Then it hit me like a dumbbell that fell on my foot-never would I kill my pocket just to get the looks that would kill in envy those bully boys. Frail thin and dying like Palito I may be, but I believe my eyes are seductive more than Brad Pitt has which those bully boys back in high school never have. *** This short feature won 1st place for Feature Writing (English) School Paper Adviser Category during the 2007 Regional Training of School Paper Advisers and Campus Journalists held at Punta Villa resort, Arevalo, Iloilo City, Philippines on September 5-6, 2007.

Unemployment and the K-12 curriculum

The school year 2013-2014 have just opened and came with it are the usual woes of teachers, learners and parents. As an educator, I just can’t help but reflect on the current state of Philippine education. First on my list is the K to 12 curriculum.

Recently, the Philippine Government’s Department of Labor and Emploment (DOLE) announced that unemployment is a result of mismatch between jobs available and the skills of Filipino graduates. Last year, 2012 National Statistics Office (NSO) data showed that almost eight of every ten unemployed were able to finish high school, college and some even have post graduate studies!

However, IBON, an independent think tank, their research found that unemployment is rising because employment is scarce. It is not the disparity between school curriculum vs. jobs availability.

Unemployment can also be attributed to the country’s weak industrial sector. If there are plenty of domestic manufacturing in the country, these could create enough jobs, unfortunately this is not the case.

Although the government’s barkers keep on telling the public though the mass media that everything is being addressed, those words are not felt much on the ground level. Well, there’s only one excuse that we had been told and they kept on telling us, “everything don’t happen overnight”.

Doing lip service on the part of the government is not helping at all. Glorifying the education sector workers, especially the teachers through mass media but not doing everything to improve their plight is hypocritical.

The K to 12 curriculum should also focus in equipping students with the skills to develop our country. It is obvious that with the present K to 12 curriculum, it is aimed at answering the need of providing work force for the global market. K to 12 should be developed to harness the creativity of the learners to build new technology and help the country’s industry. New industries mean new jobs and thus solving the country’s unending unemployment predicament.

But for now, we can all cross our fingers and hope for the better.