What’s in a degree?

Having a degree for the first and only member of a low-income family in the country is a considerable advantage and a tremendous blessing. And for a Filipino family, completing college for all of their children is and will always be a goal. What's more, why is this the case?

We all know that a college diploma is rapidly becoming a requirement for entry into the global economy. As a result, for some, it's a case of by hook or by crook that one must sacrifice now in order to gain future glory. So, what exactly does a college diploma entail?

A college education entails the ability to work and contribute to the family. As a result, this would also be stopping a poor family's cycle of poverty. Obtaining a degree is thus a great honor and privilege that no one can take away from you. However, doing this requires a great deal of sacrifice and perseverance. Sacrifices to which all family members are compelled to contribute. Examples of specific sacrifices are like when an elder brother foregoes his studies in order to help pay for the education of a younger brother. An elder sister who is a helper in a highly-urbanized metropolis provides money for a younger sister's educational expenditures.

And in today's workplace, we prefer individuals who have the necessary qualifications, with appropriate degrees than those who do not have. And why is it the case? A degree demonstrates considerable commitment and accomplishment in the face of academic difficulties. It takes a lot of perseverance to keep going despite the challenges.

The condition outlined above, however, does not apply to our elected leaders, including our country's highest official. Being president does not necessitate the completion of a specific degree. And it's especially upsetting because other professions would require at least one.

The framers of the rules may not be interested in a degree because the most essential ones, such as integrity, dedication, morality, and honesty, must be demonstrated. What if, on the other hand, such a degree is tied to fundamental values such as honesty? It is a serious question of honesty to declare that one has a degree from Recto. Or someone who has earned a degree from a respected academic institution is a complete affront to the electorate. It alludes to the concept of concealing what is or should be the truth. At its most basic level, admitting one's shortcomings is humility, while claiming something that does not belong to the true owner is dishonesty at its worst.

Real, long-term change occurs one step at a time. And we can't keep resolving situations by forgetting about them and adopting a new, skewed perspective. Let us not continue to spread misinformation and false claims to the generation that has little or no appreciation of the past.

We must have hope that, despite all the noise and deception, we will remember who we are and what we are called to be. We sense a huge awakening emerging from the political gloom; things will improve; it will be a start.

We use our knowledge and degrees to help others rather than to deceive them. Being genuine to oneself, which includes accepting one's flaws and virtues, also entails being honest with others. After all, rather than being a source of pride and deception, a diploma should be a modest offering of service.