High school students get lessons on impeachment

WON’T they get lost in the legalese?

Students of the Manuel A. Roxas High School in Manila’s Paco district on Thursday were given “special” lessons on impeachment and social justice, a sprinkling of Senate proceedings and how to analyze a statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

The issues tackled may be a bit heavy for high school students, but Araling Panlipunan ( Social Studies) teacher Mabelle Caboboy said that the special lesson aimed to make students become aware of current events, such as the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

According to her, discussing timely issues, lessons on social justice and accountability, and analysis of the political landscape will help students realize their role in creating a better society.

“Concepts of justice and accountability should be introduced to our youth at an early

age in order to empower them. Through these discussions, teachers like myself are able to embolden our youth to be responsible and principled members of society,” Caboboy said.

The special lesson and activities, which included television viewings of the impeachment proceedings, was initiated by Kabataan party-list and youth impeachment watchdog alliance “#i-monitor”.

The groups will hold such special lessons and discussion in various schools and communities.

After watching the impeachment proceedings at the Senate, the students were given lessons on legal vocabulary and other exercises like identifying the parts of a wealth statement.

“The youth’s participation in the impeachment process should be encouraged, because the country’s future is theirs to inherit. The youth must be motivated to be active shapers of a government that is subservient to the rights and welfare of the people, not to the ruling elite,” Rep. Raymond Palatino of Kabataan said.

“Nation- building is propelled when the youth stand up in the name of genuine social change,” he added.