THE VALUE OF VALUES

LAILA M. GOMEZ

Changes are not strongly observable if viewed in a day to day perspective. Change takes time as well as growing and learning to reach its fullest stretch, and for man to be able to distinguish such an apparent transformation, he/she must have witnessed the process of alteration – how the subject of such change had been in the past until it has reached the state of newness it embodies today.

Having been raised during the 80s and teaching the 21st century learners are two opposing poles that one has to deal with the same level of importance. Assuming the role of an educator for quite some time gives one a panoramic view of how students have changed in terms of character and behavior. Many of the students of today are highly aggressive, way too imaginative, and easily bored. They are restless and unfocused. It seems to be that the current challenge among educators is not highlighted by the transfer of knowledge but on how are they able to preserve and inculcate the enduring values that every man should possess. These are the values that will shape the character of the student till he/she finally establishes his/ her own personhood.

The real battle is definitely not about finding out who or what is to blame in the general change of behavior among the students, but it lies in the pursuit of the sector of education to withstand the test of change posted by different factors and influences. At the end of the day, what the children remember are the good things that the teachers taught them and the values that they have caught through them.

— oOo— The author is Teacher III at Pampanga High School