School talk

In about two weeks or less, classes will resume for students both in private and elementary schools. Despite our country's educational system adapting to the K+12 program, we still haven't shifted our academic calendar except for some universities. We still go to school in June, the time of the year when PAGASA says it will be rainy.

This week has been dedicated to Department of Education's program called Brigada Eskwela. It is a time where parents, students, and other stakeholders in the area come together to help beautify the school in time for the class opening. There will be repairs and fixes to be made, all done with a big heart and a grateful smile.

I am amazed at how students toil for this one week just to make their school as good as new. Back when I was still in elementary, I did not have to go school for the whole summer. My parents took care of my enrollment. By the time they came back from processing my papers, I already had new books, uniform, and sometimes a trolley bag. When classes started, the school is very spic and span. The smell of cleanliness made me want to go back to school and before I realize we have finished one quarter of the school year.

Sometimes I try to question why the students who are supposed to have an education endure the blaring heat of the sun just to have their chairs fixed? Other schools have ceilings that need repairs but can't carry out those repairs because of the lack of budget. It is high time for those near schools to offer their hand and resources to hone the next generation.

I pretty much understand that we have limitations when it comes to our dreams in trying to make our education system at par with the rest of the world. Our facilities simply cannot keep up with the needed budget to make the school a better one. But like my dad used to say, "there is no bad school for a good student." It's just that sometimes I wish we can give our all to the next generation who will be taking care of our country in the future. It would be nice if they looked back at where they came from, they would say that the generation before them really poured their heart and time into making them future somebodies.

There is so much potential with the youth of today if only they are given the right opportunities and the chance to explore with their great minds. Teachers, as we all know, also sacrifice from their own pockets just to make the school as it was in the previous years. With the new administration and the vigor of the education secretary, then maybe there could be a potential for our public schools to boost themselves and be of honor around the world.

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