THE TEACHING OF SOCIAL AWARENESS IN SCHOOLS TOWARD THE FORMATION OF RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS

MARY AGATHA CLARE C. LUGUE

To be socially responsible is the highlight of good citizenship. Being a citizen means being a part of a community, and being part of a community means having a role and purpose to serve.

In understanding and analyzing the words “social” and “responsibility”, the concept of servantleadership comes into place. It is to lead and to serve, to act not only for the benefit of oneself but for the better good of the community one is a part of.

Schools are the cradle of the future citizens – the future prime movers who will work together to enable progress in the society. As education presents countless opportunities for learners to cultivate useful knowledge and meaningful understanding, it also provides them with experiences to realize the value of responsibility and to develop leadership skills.

Education bridges learners toward social awareness and understanding. Herein, learners get to learn about the society, nationally ang globally. Through this integration, learners get to learn about the social issues and concerns that surround them. Embedded in this part of education is the realization of the “cause and effect” where learners are enabled to make sense on how actions lead to something.

Given that, learners are driven to look at the world with better perspectives, see solutions through their own realizations. Hence, they get the inspiration to become problem solvers. In being so, they begin to realize their role in the society and the better purpose they can serve.

Hence, it is important the schools put weight on the integration of social awareness in the different learning activities being facilitated in schools. It is not just the knowing of facts but inspiring the learners – the future prime movers of the society – to lead and make a difference.

-oOoThe author is a Teacher III at San Vicente Elementary School, Apalit District.