LEARNERS: THE CENTER OF EDUCATION

The author is Principal Lubao West District

FILIPINAS V. REGALA

The center and the heart of the educative process are always the learners. They are our pupils, our students and our clienteles. Schools exist because of them. Teachers, principals and other school personnel are hired because of them. But who are our learners?

DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012 differentiate children from learners. Children are persons below 18 years old. The term also refers to those over 18 years old but are unable to fully take care of themselves from abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation, or discrimination because of a physical or mental disability or condition. On the other hand, learners are individuals who attend classes in any level of the basic education system, under the supervision and tutelage of a teacher or facilitator. Learners are unique individuals. They differ from one another in many ways. Thus, they need to be treated with utmost affection and care. Our learners today include regular pupils, learners with disabilities including SPED, low socio-economic status learners, indigenous learners, multi-lingual learners, Muslim learners, out of school youth, learners needing work, children at risk and children in conflict with the law.

All types of learners need equal treatment. No one should be discriminated. One way that our government ensures that education is made available to all is the provision of programs suited for every learner with different needs, interest and situation. This is our government response and action to make all Filipino children attain quality education.

— oOo— I of San Pedro Palcarangan Elementary School,