On Education..

The month of March is said to be the Month of Graduation in the Philippines. This year, I myself will be witnessing another Graduation Rites at Liceo Del Verbo Divino, the school were I'm at service. The Kinder 2 pupils will have their "Moving Up" activity (this is just a graduation per see in their Kinder level going to Grade School - grade one. The High School students at this very moment are now on their threshold's stage where they will be leaving the very precious moment of their high school days. A few more steps (few more days) from now, they will be marching to the graduation march music. A lot of stories to tell about the high school life, the college life of each every students. The sweet and sour moments of their life while on "pencil pushing". However, it will soon become memories to cherished. I know there will be mixed feelings among the graduates. For some, they are now planning ahead for their college life and the course that they are going to take. For the college students who will be graduating this year will also experience some other kind of excitement and jubilation. So much so, whatever level they are in now (pupils, students) from Kinder, Grade School, High School or College, they are all moving forward...to their future. Their perseverance in studies, the great endeavour of their parents in sending them to school... will payoff a price of a golden wealth in life .. that is EDUCATION. I is said that the right for education is a right to all. It is not a privilege. Unfortunately, in the end, in our situation at present it seems more and more children are out of school anymore. The dropped outs are increasing in high school and in college level. It is because of POVERTY; and the higher tuition fees of private schools, the scarcity of teachers; the increasing cases of broken families; and the influence of the new age of communications... that is the computer age. Every year we are producing more and more graduates. But in return , there are more who are unemployed. Are there more graduates who are qualified for the job openings or there are less job opportunities in our country?. Indeed, we are just producing more diplomas but less job opportunities. If there are jobs openings, it is so sad that more are not qualified or fit for the job. Others are also too ambitious. Some are choosing a job in which they not really qualified or fit because they have no skills. There are some who doesn't like to start a job which is a little bit at a lower rank or level. They are ashamed to try and start to work because they wanted a white collar job . Let us not forget the saying "Sipag at tiyaga", "Pag may tiyaga may ginhawa". In another story , there are those who are very lucky to be employed even if they are not qualified . It is because of "whom you know policy" , the "payola policy" or they called it "share share" as payment forthe "Utang na Loob". The very factor that contributes to our unskilled graduates or workers today is the "Downgraded Quality" of Education" that we have now. And the so many factors that affects our students. The corruption at the Department of Education and in some schools or there is something wrong in our education system itself?. Throughout the country the Local governments are continuously converting schools into State Universities. Unfortunately in the end, the share from the whole pie of the government's budget for education are becoming more smaller. Moreover, more schools now were given a permit to open but lack of school facilities. Not to mention the schools who are just renting a room or a building. So, because of the lack of opportunities here in our country, the result is the birth of the so called "Bagong Bayani" or the Overseas Filipino workers (OFW). From professional skilled workers or domestic employment. That is why we are now facing a new problem the so called "Brain Drain". Finally, these are just all my personal views on Education; Yes, there are problems in our country.. from education... to job opportunities...but there are also solutions to these.. That if the government will push hard in correcting the quality of our education system, stop corruption, opens more job opportunities, helping small scale industries and investing in skills training system like the TESDA, to help the unemployed to start a small scale underground economy that would support for their livelihood. I know that the story I have written has no end... but it rests on each individual to change and persevere to reach the unreachable star for a better future.

Generation X

The rapid growth and development in any fields of interests is now creeping "like a computer virus" into our lives. Generation to generation shows an instant pictures of the different flaws of life; the simple became more complicated. This is the effects of the culture being infiltrated from one source to another.. from one country to another..from one generation to another.... while the older ones are already been affected the most vulnerable are the newly born babies and the growing population of the youngsters. The Philippines' National Hero "Jose Rizal" once said "the youth are the hope of the nation". Well, what would be the future of the nation if the youth of today's generation are already been corrupted in thoughts words and in actions. The influenced of the "media, latest technologies like computers...cellphones..PSPs...gameboys, Mp3' 4 or 5 and a lot more.. . Unlike before, there are are only few choices to venture. . Now there are thousands of choices... and the result.the most important ones are now neglected... like the choice for "Pro-Life and Pro-God". What is more important to many is for his/her self's fulfillment. So much so, , the future of the our youth are also been re diverted and re classified to fall on this new age and trend of generation the Generation X. They have been re cultured..and acculturated with so many influences in life. In fact, more and more pupils and students in schools had been affected already in their studies The fastest growing numbers of them are already trapped in various vices like drugs, cigarettes and liquors, .. some are being influenced by fraternities... others became stow aways..got an early pregnancy..and became an unwed mothers. while some are already .affected by deceases.. like aids...at their very young age. Indeed, the families of the these young kids are already having problems. no less than a broken family. Parents are not gaining anymore respect from their children... "they are acting and behaving differently". New words from their "new age dictionary" have been invented and in scripted. These words are frequently can be heard when they talk to their "Kaberks" or friends. The code that no one can understand., only their generation. If you want to know it well, you have to decode it; one must learn and know the meaning the words used by the "Generation X". As an observation, , for some pupils and students studying in a private and catholic school., you will be surprised that some of them are saying "bad words" in their casual or usual conversations. I seems it's just a normal thing for them.. That is why the school is also struggling on how to reform the minds of their pupils and students. Much more the teachers also struggles to gain respect and attention for their lessons. The force of these so called "Generation X " are outstanding and gaining more fans and influence. It is too cautious to encounter and engaged to these generation.. They wanted to solved any problem in just a minute..their listening time capacity, now averaged more or less than 10 mins. If you cannot satisfied them within this span.. you're out of the instant solution for them. I once heard "It is much better to talk and tell their peers about their own personal problems rather than to talk and tell their parents about it". That is why parents are already complaining that they don't even knew their child anymore. Especially the "now you see now you don't" parents. These are the parents who have no or spent less time for their children because of some any reasons. They become losers...they lost the respect and love from their children and gain problems instead. Why X ? the X stands for "no", "wrong", or from the doctors point of view the prescriptions.. as it always indicated and printed in their prescription receipts, "Rx". Yes, there is something wrong. This is now the new wave that you can call it like a tidelwave , a tsunami or any man made disasters that affects the daily lives of the people. Therefore it needs priority.. and careful attention in order to regain the right path of life for our youth. Knowing them of what they are now..is the right key to regain back their attention.. love and respect...and then lead them into the right path in life. The critical role of the parents plays the most significant. neither the school...and the church.... We have to learn how to be critical... on Media.. the need for media education and literacy is also important ..because this is the most influential tool and venue that affects our children of today's generation. Everyday they are exposed to it. If you can"not beat them .well join them .. if it is the only way to infiltrate to their fields... so the more we learn to know them .. the nearer we can guide them to the right path and direction in life".