How would you emphasize the value of a good education to today's youth?

Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: By providing them the best environment to encourage them to love and not fear education. Inferiority can be overcome with adequate incentives.

Dino Monzon, Caloocan City: Learning ought to be presented in an interesting way that it sparks a student’s interest and inspires him or her to know more, making its importance obvious.

It’s every parent’s best heritage

Elpidio Que, Vigan: Today’s youth should be made to understand that education is the best heritage they can get from their parents, and that they need it in their journey. They, especially those with honest and God-fearing parents, should appreciate that the money their parents spend on their education is from the toil of blood, sweat and tears; thus, they should reciprocate by being assiduous in their studies in school.

Arturo Fernandez, Metro Manila: Education is still the best legacy parents can give to their children.

Send them to the best schools

Imee Aglibot, Rizal: We should, of course, first help them get the best foundation by sending them to good, if not the best, schools so everything will be easier. Even without us, they will understand that life is one big competition and only the best courses can help them get through it.

L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: I’ve seen my eldest son’s emphasis on the value of good education by spending much of his income on a good school for his children over moving to a comfortable home. A good education is still the best legacy parents can give their children. It is the boost that would propel them along life’s path.

Josh Pacatang, Dipolog City: An excellent Christian education in liberal arts, such as what I obtained at Silliman University in the 1950s, and a BS in Accountancy, such as what my daughter obtained at St. Paul University, Manila 35 years later, would be a great advantage to the youth of today. The kind of schools and values they teach their students to live up to in their professions assures this nation of a much better citizenry in the future.

It’s their ticket to success in life

Noel Banias, Metro Manila: These days, competition has become so stiff that having a college degree is not a passport to landing a good-paying job. If we are able to hammer this fact to our children, then they would strive to be better equipped academically and aspire to get the best education they can. When the proper time comes for them to seek a job, they will have the confidence that their folks strove hard to give them a good education.

William Gonzaga, Marikina City: A good education provides the foundation for a youth’s future. In a fiercely tight competition for well-paying jobs, it offers a distinct advantage.

Mark Anthony Dajao, Quezon City: It’s by making them realize how education impacts on us. Right now, we have an economic recession and it’s so hard to find a job without a good education.

By reiterating to them that it is the only way to land a decent job, especially in the Philippines, where being a college graduate means everything, unless you’re Manny Pacquiao, Efren “Bata” Reyes, or Erap. – J-Dub Wenceslao, Imus, Cavite

Cris Rivera, Rizal: Good education provides positive change to a man’s character. It builds confidence and enhances his ability to make sound decisions and have the capability to lead. Good education is the only ladder you can step on to reach for your star.

Vir Lauzon, General Santos City: Finishing their studies will pave the way to a great future.

I. Calata, Parañaque City: I would first make them realize that the world has become very competitive for anyone seeking a place under the sun. Anyone seeking good employment or success in the entrepreneurial field must be well-equipped with the right education to carry him through. It is, therefore, necessary for the youth today to use their time acquiring a good education, which is their only armament for a good future. There is no other way.

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: It’s a cut-throat, dog-eat-dog world. In order to compete, you have to excel in whatever undertaking or course you take; discipline is a must.

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: With a good education, today’s youth will have a better edge and a chance at survival in our highly competitive world.

Felix Ramento, Manila: Securing a good education will prepare our youth to face the challenges in today’s extremely competitive world.

Rudy Tagimacruz, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon: Today’s youth should have a good education for it’s an asset that assures them of survival in today’s cut-throat competition.

Medel Verzosa, Ilocos Sur: I could attest that education gave me good life and Inbox recognition. Invest in quality education and you’ll never regret it.

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: We can emphasize the value of a good education to today’s youth by comparing education to an armament of a soldier going into war. If your arms are defective or outdated, then you won’t survive that war! By acquiring a good education, you will be aware of the value of hard work, honesty, humility, humor and holiness, and will have a very good chance of decently surviving in today’s competitive world. Almost all successful people and leaders around the world have a good education; hence, today’s youth should strive hard to complete at least a college degree!

Knowledge is power

Nestor Buñag, Mandaluyong City: Knowledge is power. Education means acquiring knowledge power. My vision is for the Philippines to become the most powerful nation in the Far East.

Voz Butuyan, Pangasinan: Just emphasize the fact that proper literacy is the key to dignity and self worth!

Edwin Castillo, Tanauan City: I would tell the youth that good education will determine their destiny in life. As the late Ernie Baron would say, “Knowledge is power.”

Encourage them to study

Rowena Remiendo, Manila: A good education means a brighter future for the youth. Let us encourage the youth to study while they are young and still free from many responsibilities.

C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: We should teach the youth to emulate role models who made good education their passport to success. The parents usually turn out to be their idols or models.

M. Sunico, Caloocan City: This is a very difficult thing to do. The youth today, especially those who need education most, do not have the opportunity to be sensibly advised by their parents, who equally never had the much-needed education to overcome poverty in their own time. However, public school teachers will have to carry the load of forming the minds of their students into receptive ones, so these students will accept the fact that they will have to rely on their education, discipline, and perseverance to overcome what their parents have failed to do for them.

Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders

Lucas Banzon Madamba II, Laguna: I would strongly advise the youth to seriously value the true spirit and significance of education by studying very hard and maximizing their full potentials for their future because education is one of the important parameters which can significantly help establish one’s future and perspective in life. As Dr. Jose P. Rizal said, “The youth is the hope of the fatherland.”

Romeo Caubat, Masbate: Good education is investing on and tapping our human resources wisely. More so because today’s youth will be our leaders tomorrow.

Rex Earlou Calmerin, Iligan City: Drug abuse is the reason many youths lose their future. We should help them through education. As Dr. Rizal says, the youth is the hope of our future.

Help them understand the consequences

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: A good education offers one security for a better future. It’s best emphasized by informing our youth on the effects and results of illiteracy and lack of education.

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: I’d say, “Kung meron kang edukasyon, para kang kotse na may full tank. Malayung-malayo ang mararating mo sa buhay. Kung pa- tambay-tambay lang, eh wala kang ibang makukuhang trabaho. Hanggang construction worker ka lang. Bilad ka sa init, pala dito, pala doon. Gusto mo ba ‘yon?

Eddie Yap, Kabankalan City: I usually bring along my grandchildren in our church’s outreach programs to the squatters area every Sunday afternoon. They have observed that life in the squatters area is far different from the life of well-off families in our barangay. I simply explain to them that the poor, due to some circumstances, have not availed a good education or have neglected their studies. Meanwhile, those enjoying the comfort of life have sacrificed a lot to earn a degree so they are now enjoying the fruits of their labor. I believe this simple and basic explanation has made an imprint in their young minds on how important education is to a person’s success.

Rose Leobrera, Manila: The best way is to let them see the less fortunate people in the streets. That is what is going to happen to them if they do not value education.

Technology demeans the value of education

Diony Yap, Bacolod City: The proliferation of the Internet, video games, cell phones and other high-tech gadgets devalues the educational system of our youth today.

Leandro Tolentino, Batangas City: A good education is a must for convenient access on cyberspace and today’s youth are now in it; hence, emphasis on its value may no longer be needed.

Ignorance is not bliss

Geoffrey Gumban, Davao City: I’d leave them choices and chances just as the nation and the rest of the world lets them stand vis-à-vis the crossroads of their purposes in life. They can either trod paths towards greater heights of utopia while towing knowledge and responsibility or jump like lemmings into depths of oblivion with ignorance and mediocrity as company!

Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Tell them the story of an ignorant man who asked for forgiveness for being ignorant, for ignorance to render the death of knowledge. Let them read a legal document they couldn’t fully understand while in high school. 

A lasting treasure

Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: A good education is made and earned with sheer effort and sacrifice. It has to be treasured. Money and material wealth are insignificant compared to the value of a good education.

Jim Veneracion, Naga City: Education is something permanent that can’t be taken away from us. It makes one competitive in the job market and a reliable measure of one’s worth.

Ruel Bautista, Laguna: Just look at how easy the very rich people were robbed of their wealth by the global financial crisis. No one can take away a good education from us.

Digoy Coro, Batangas: A good education is the foundation of one’s destiny. It’s a treasure nobody can take away from us.

Manny Cordeta, Marikina City: Today’s youth should seize the golden opportunity being offered by their parents who toil day and night. A good education is one lasting legacy that cannot be taken away from them. Undoubtedly, it is like a precious gem, a sharp-bladed weapon.

Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: The youth should strive hard to get the highest and relevant education they can get to use as a weapon against poverty. They shouldn’t let their dreams fade into thin air without acting on them. It reminds me of the book by Barack Obama, “The Audacity of Hope”. It shows Obama as a strong youth willing to achieve anything by giving his best in education and enjoying life in college through meaningful activities. Good education is the only gift that you can have for a lifetime, wherever you are and no matter who you are in the eyes of society.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: The value of a good education is priceless. If it’s put to good use, it is like a ballistic missile that can find its desired targets. Nobody can take it away.

Cite examples

Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal: Tell them that judges, business executives, generals, deans and even bishops were products of a good education.

Jose Jumawan, Palawan: Cite specific examples – a brother who is now employed in Saudi, an aunt who is a registered nurse in Chicago, a cousin earning six-digit figures.

Leonard Villa, Batac City: Tell them about the great men and women in the world who made great achievements; that they were successful because of their educational excellence.

It’s their weapon against poverty

Sahlee Reyes, Las Piñas City: Education, as we all know, is the process of training and developing the mind and character through formal schooling. It is an investment, as well as a commitment and a responsibility. Education develops the ability to discern right from wrong in situations and experiences that one may go through in conducting one’s life. It teaches one to think and to conceive ideas on his or her own. It helps one appreciate arts and music and come up with systematic solutions. Education develops one’s character, opens avenues for livelihood skills, and gives views on cultural ethos so one would carry the education of thought into their ways of life and be able to express oneself eloquently.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

NEXT INBOX QUESTION: From L.C. Fiel, Quezon City: Is there a real opposition that can offer an end to corrupt governance in our country?

If registered, text philstar<space>fb<space>your message and send to 2256 (all networks)

To register, text philstar<space>reg<space>name,gender,birthdate,address and send to 2256 (all networks)

You may also email your views to: [email protected].