Tales from the student-evacuees
The struggle to educate the children who have been evacuated from Marawi City continues to be a dilemma for most teachers here in Negros Oriental. It has been weeks since they got here, but it seems like they have just started school. After the incident where a female student was bullied and called a member of the Maute Group, the toddlers in the day-care centers cannot understand what their teachers are saying. Thus, the language barrier.
As I made my rounds in the barangays where the evacuees are today, there seem to be a slight progress. The teachers are now learning on their own how to speak the Maranao language so they can touch base with their students regarding their lessons. It seemed very awkward as I was observing this certain class from the behind but at the end of the session, it boosted the child's being after hearing the words of their native tongue.
Those parents who do not belong to the group of the evacuees don't mind. In fact, whichever way works easy for their children and those student-evacuees is in their favor. As the teacher carefully tries her best to speak the language, I can see an illuminated smile on the faces of the young students.
I have always believed that education has no barrier –regardless of color, race, ethnicity, and language. My heart was very touched as the teacher tried her best to utter the perfect pronunciation of the Maranao words. Just like music, there are no perfect musicians and it bridges the gap between people. The melody binds groups together coupled with the rhythm. Education is also for all, no matter how you look or appear before your teacher. Some of the student evacuees from Marawi had tattered clothes, no slippers, and untidy hair. I could understand that they came to this new place seeking a new life, bringing only what they could with their bare hands.
Up to today the chaos in Marawi City continues. The government is doing their best, deploying the cream of the crop to combat the terrorists but it seems the problem continues. It seems like it is worsening with us hearing stories of innocent people being hit by bullets. Recently, media personnel who were deployed in the area have been victims of harassment with bullets hitting their vehicles or the Capitol which is supposed to be considered a safe place.
It is quite unsure how long these students will stay in this place. Maybe they plan not to leave anymore considering the life that awaits them here. Adjusting will take a lot of time. What important is we show them that we accept and love them for who they are. On top of that is that we show them that we care for them and we empathize with them in the struggle that they are going through as well.
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