Inculcate traditional values
TODAY, students troop to the elementary and high schools, ready to be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will prepare them to function well in an increasingly competitive global economy and in a collaborative ASEAN society. The institution of K-to-12 and its implementation this school year is another positive step towards the realization of a Philippines in sync with its ASEAN neighbors and provides our human resources with qualifications on par with our neighbors.
While the Filipino is becoming a citizen of the world, it is essential that he/she does not lose his “being a Filipino.” Traditional values of respect for one’s elders, the positive aspects of the “utang na loob” or debt of gratitude, congruence with nature, the bayanihan spirit, and a strong sense of patriotism should not just be integrated in the curriculum but should pervade the educational process. School administrators and teachers should exhibit these values as they share them with their students, going counter to the adage “Do what I teach but do not do what I do.”
Senior citizens are provided recognition by the national government by way of the 20% discounts on purchases on medicine, food, services, etc., and the local government through free movies, cakes (in some jurisdictions), and cash gifts on birthdays. Business establishments and government offices provide priority lanes to them. Yet it is disturbing to note that there are indications that the younger generation has detached themselves from their elders with no communication linkages and worse, no financial support. Schools should not just highlight the wisdom of the elders but could assign the students to come up with reports on their parents and grandparents so that they can have a better understanding and appreciation of their ancestors. On special occasions, students should be encouraged to honor their elders.
The positive aspects of the value of “utang na loob” can be highlighted by getting the students to identify who they owe debts of gratitude to and how they can reciprocate. In return for the sacrifices of parents to give them a good education, the students should have good academic and extracurricular performance. Teach- ers give so much of themselves to ensure a facilitative environment for students. Beyond responding to their guidance and fulfilling their course work, the students can volunteer to lessen the teacher’s burden by volunteering to do the chores in the classroom. After graduation, keeping in touch with their teachers will lift the spirits of these dedicated academics.
While there are already subjects in the school on conservation and protection of the environment, the focus should be on instilling the mindset that makes the students put into practice in their daily life all that they have learned. One of the dangers in the education process is that students may compartmentalize their learning (doing the right thing in class but doing the opposite outside the school premises).
Fostering the “bayanihan spirit” will push aside the prevailing “Filipino crab mentality.” In this way, we assure the success of our fellow Filipinos and that of our community. Students should consider the victories of others as their own and have as much pride in the accomplishment of others as they are in theirs.
The value that I strongly believe should be in the minds and hearts of all Pilipino students is patriotism. It is so disappointing that as the country faces challenges from external and internal forces, we do not see the youth rising in protest in defense of the country. On the college level, the students are flocking to the literacy and community streams in NSTP rather than the ROTC stream. In the process, the young are grossly untrained without the knowledge and skills needed to fight for the country as well as to be actively involved in disaster management, All the schools should focus on making the students imbibe the value of patriotism, “Country above Self.”