Education woes

The first week of class has just finished, and it wasn't as orderly as I imagined it would be. I saw parents lining up just to enroll their kids because they were late. Sometimes the reasons are so absurd - too busy, forgot to claim reports, and the like. I pity the students who had to miss a lot of hours and for others, days in class. I also saw students moved out of the classrooms in the middle of the day because the school had to implement a two-shift schedule because of the lack of rooms. There was also tension that transpired in Lagtang, Talisay, because of a gate that was in between the high school and elementary sections of a school. I mean, why big the big deal over a gate?

But then this is the reality of our education sector. Being in this industry allowed me to see with fresh eyes the children of our next generation. They are subject to limited learning because of the classroom size, little to no facilities, and lack of money for the daily needs such as food and whatnot. The schools are located in areas that are unsafe, with buildings that have not been thoroughly checked by authorities and are also near insects that are carriers of possible diseases such as dengue.

My heart breaks whenever I visit a school despite the warm smiles of the students who are fascinated by the presence of visitors in their classroom. I wish I could give out what I can for these children, but these wouldn’t be enough for all. I could compare myself to the comfortable life I had when I went to a private school with lessons and curricula all the same with that of the public schools.

It gets worse for those who live in the upland areas. There are children who have to climb mountains, cross rivers, pass through narrow paths, just to get to school. Others wake up and finish the day with nothing in their stomachs. Again, this should be what our legislators and leaders look into. It is alarming that we are treating the next generation very poorly. We see that they are willing and eager to learn with the stories that we hear in the news, but it seems like it isn't enough to move other hearts to help out.

The first week has just started and there are many weeks to go. The Department of Education will also be faced with many issues as the school year unfolds. Let us pray for the teachers to have strength to endure the year despite low pay and rowdy students. Let us also pray for the leaders in the department that they may fight for the betterment of the education sector. If miracles are real, then I must put my faith in them. I guess the most that we can do right now is pray and hope. After all, the children are the hope of the nation.