#PARASABATAPARASABAYAN

TIMOTY JHON C. DEL ROSARIO

It’s a millennial’s way of putting a teacher’s role in nation building: “Para sa Bata, Para sa Bayan.” Thus, # parasabataparasabayan.

As educators, we join the whole Department of Education (DepEd) community in the country in celebrating the historic first graduation ceremony for the Senior High School graduates.

As DepEd Director Joyce Andaya of the Bureau of Curriculum and Development of DepEd Central Office said, the first ever historic Senior High School commencement exercises saw students proudly marching to receive their diplomas, graduates who had the tenacity, the steely resolve, the fiery determination to push the K to 12 program forward, in spite of and despite several naysayers and criticisms.

The historic moment was filled with stories of optimism and dreams, like parents with hearts pregnant with hope and promise because their children will be offered jobs right after graduation. Students were proudly displaying their NCs and sharing how grateful they are to go through Senior High. Director Andaya shared the joy of another student who said he is ready to put up his salon “sa silong ng bahay nila habang pinag iipunan nya ang kanyang pang- kolehiyo,” because he has earned his NC in beauty and nail care as well as hairdressing.

There are other stories as compelling— stories of promise, of hope, of positive vibes. The same joy, perhaps, that enveloped the framers when they pursued this path. All because they wanted every Filipino child to have a fighting chance at a decent and better future.

This the DepEd team and the teachers who had the courage to fork new roads in support of the program and for their dedication and commitment. Educators and stakeholders who had the “heart and nerve and sinew” to finish what needed to be finished.

Director Andaya stressed that there is more work to be done and innumerable challenges to hurdle so all Filipino children can be served. Tomorrow, teachers will work again together with all others committed to the cause of children’s education because education must continue and children cannot wait.

— oOo—

The author is Teacher II at Bahay Pare National High School, Cluster V, Congressional District IV, Division of Pampanga