ACADEMIC FREEDOM

Janet Brigida A Catipon

Academic freedom is an expression how every unique individual brought himself to the world, how he interacts with different race and culture. Academically, this freedom defines how knowledge is being collaborated between individuals (teacher and learner), integrated and turned ideas into facts and discoveries through experiments and experiences. All the scientific and technological advancements worldwide are proofs of academic freedom. History may not be known to the world without academic freedom. Arts and literatures may not have been gained vast appreciation without academic freedom in the expressions of moods, feelings and observations about the world. Moreover, it is an intellectual freedom that illustrates how people converged into truths. The importance of academic freedom is undeniable as it is the fundamental foundation towards the fulfilment educational mission, Likewise, I do believe that academic freedom is considered as a moral and legal expression in which teachers and educators have the conviction to practice inquiry which essential to the fulfillment of educational mission. Such inquiry serves as a driving force of evoking intellectual capabilities, present results of investigations without control or hesitations.

I was caught by the words of wisdom of albert Einstein, “By academic freedom, I understand the right to search for truth and to publish and teach what one holds to be true. This right also implies a duty: one must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be true.

With this particular quote of Albert Einstein, I believe that academic freedom must sought and protected because just like human rights are defined with universal condition, so it must be for academic freedom too. Academic freedom is synonymous to being a free person to live, act and participate in the world all throughout his existence. It is considered as the core value of the environment and community concerned with the pursuit of knowledge and truths, education and achievements. Academic freedom should neither be dealt with ignorance nor with vested interest for the main reason that it is the root of what has been existed, existing or might be existing in the future generation.

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The author is SST-III/TIC at Macabebe High School