Good manners, right conduct
When WhWhen Congress CCongress sees it fit to tto pass a measure that aims to teach the youth proper conduct, something must be terribly amiss.
Has there been such a breakdown in good manners that the august lawmakers have to step in? Have the young Filipinos become notoriously ill-mannered that a bill on the teaching of good conduct has to be approved?
Why did we stop teaching Good Manners and Right Conduct ( GMRC) in schools as a subject in the first place? Was it because we thought that children could learn ethics and good behavior from home, their peers and from the infrequent admonitions or headshakes of their teachers?
Some children may learn civility from their parents, elders or from their community if they are surrounded by people steeped in good behavior. But apparently, majority of young people are exposed to ill manners, rude conduct and sometimes violent behavior. These children need immersion, in the form of regular lessons, to ensure that proper conduct and good behavior are imparted to them — conduct that they will follow and observe, hopefully, their entire lives.
For a disciplined nation, it is important that lessons on good conduct are given at a young age. GMRC lessons should be hammered starting in kindergarten and through elementary. Young children are more apt to retain what is taught to them repeatedly. They are more likely to grow well-mannered if they have lessons on right conduct in their formative years.
However, teachers should remember that young children also tend to copy or mimic what they see in their elders and in persons of authority. Thus, it is important for educators, school officials and other personnel to practice what is being preached inside classrooms and by showing good manners always.
A teacher who gives lessons on good behavior would not be credible and would set a bad example if he or she were ill-mannered outside the classroom. This also applies to school authorities. They would not be good role models if they display improper or criminal behavior in public.
All school personnel should be aware that good manners should not only be taught by whoever was assigned to teach GMRC. All teachers and all school staff are mentors when it comes to this aspect.
The GMRC seeds sown in kindergarten and elementary will grow and bloom if these lessons continue until high school. With values education, students will learn the virtues of patience, perseverance, industry, honesty, and integrity, among others.
They will also learn how to respect the laws, their elders and other people. Lessons on nationalism will teach them to love and help their motherland. Lessons on peace and justice, diversity, gender equity and love of nature are also important if we were to have intelligent, smart, law abiding and well-mannered citizens.
In the long run, the country will benefit from a disciplined and ethical society. Clearly, students need to learn good manners early on in their schooling for them to imbibe and practice acceptable behavior for life.
Catherine C. A gate pis Teacher 3 of the Western Ca gay an School of Arts and Trade sin Las am, Cagayan.