We have seen a paradigm shift in education in the modern world; consequently, there are challenges for the attainment of quality education. In the fast changing world of the modern age public education is also changing. As part of the transformation the role and responsibility of educators also must be reshaped both in the educational system and in society. In this column and in the next one, I would like to discuss subjects that are often heard and asked about: the role of teachers and the way we can build a democratic modern Philippines.
Presently, the Philippines has achieved its political freedom and established a sovereign democratic republic. The Philippines constitutions have made very big promises to the Filipino people and proclaimed that they should solve the problems and reshape their destiny according to the country’s values, ideas, and needs.
The first great problem is to eradicate the 30% poverty rate of the Philippines. The second problems is to stop the drop out rate in schools due to the increase of fees; the third problem is health care, and the fourth issue is corruption in the church, corruption in the mosque, corruption in the government, and corruption in businesses. These are weakening the Philippines’ democratic state. All these problems have to be solved by the Filipino people and for the Filipinos, because no foreign power is going to help, nor is it desirable to ask them to solve the problems for the Philippines. This national responsibility descended upon all Filipinos as soon as the Philippines became a free nation, and every citizen of the free Philippines should embrace this sense of national responsibility.
As soon as the Philippine became free from colonial powers, Filipinos became citizens of the Philippines. Before that, they were referred to as subjects of the colonial powers. There is a world of difference between the subjects of foreign powers and citizens of a free state. The Philippines developed a richer personality and a higher stature when its people became free citizens. But in my view, it is unfortunate that the some of Filipinos have failed to understand the meaning of their new status and likewise have failed to live according to its true message. That is why the Philippines are running behind some of the other Asian countries and have not progressed as much as possible.
This impeded development applies to all institutions. Most of time I hear from students, friends, or even the media, that all blame lies with politicians. Granted politicians are corrupt, but corruption pervades the church, schools, teachers, administrators, tribal leaders, mosques, etc. Perhaps worse is the culture of impunity in which we all assume corruption is the norm, tolerate it, and fail to demand honesty.
The best place to start to build a modern Philippines is in the school and home. That is why teachers need to understand the true implications of a free society and convey to the children the privileges and responsibilities involved in being true citizens of a great and beautiful country. How do we define citizenship? According to my graduate school political science professor, Dr. Steward, it means the status of being a free and responsible person in a free society. All Filipinos are responsible for the progress of the Philippines to become a modern democratic country. Every progressive country has achieved greatness thorough its people developing a sense of responsibility and a love for their own nation. When we go to the office, to school, or to various government departments, we can easily observe the absence of responsibility toward this great country. If individuals work merely as employees, they function one way; but if they change their attitudes and develop a sense of responsibility as citizens, great change can take place in the people themselves and in the workplace.
In my observation of this country, I have noted that most people are attached only to their family, to themselves, and to their tribes. When I travel to the rural areas, education particularly has been greatly ignored, as much by the teachers concerned as by the state itself. The government should make some changes in the educational goals and methods, so as to make the system nationally oriented and universally compatible. Concomitantly, the role and responsibility of teachers is critical.
In a democracy, education plays a key role, because teachers have to train and mould the minds of young people to make them responsible and worthy citizens of the Democratic Republic of the Philippines. Whatever training teachers give students will change the nation. That change must make for a better and healthier nation. That means children spend more than sixteen years in school. Teachers must create a love of learning in these students. Further, it is the teacher’s obligation to bring them up to be a friend of virtue and an enemy of indecency and immorality. Most of the young minds are captives of their environment. They do not have a sense of responsibility; they are moved by passions that operate far away from the attainment of knowledge and goals. These young minds can truly be responsible citizens only if teachers help them in their education, integrating them with their past while preparing them intelligently for the future.
Buildings up a modern progressive Philippines definitely depends upon the role and responsibly of teachers, and upon the upbringing and education given to its young people. The nations that have raised their children correctly are always progressive, while those that have not done so find it impossible to take even a single step forward. There is a great need for a change in the attitudes about teaching. It is true that money is not the most important thing, but the most important things are affected by money. Investments in education should be given high priority. People need to think about and discuss important topics such as motivation of efficient workers, dedication to teaching, and commitment to learning.
Granted, most teachers are underpaid, and that has an impact on motivation and a change of attitudes, so the government should give more incentives to teachers. But, teachers should lead in recognizing that pride in doing a particular work well in the service of the nation is important and should be inculcated into all workers. The role of teachers is not only to instruct but also to inspire and motivate students to have a love for their country, to have a purpose in life, and to equip them with ideas and values that can be worthy of world citizens. Teachers can help instill all these noble aspirations in students during the years they are under their influence in school. Whatever the Philippines will be in the next generation will depend upon teachers and what they do with their students in the classroom. Those who wish to predict the Philippines’ future can do so accurately by analyzing the education and upbringing being given it its young people. My next column will address other aspects of transforming the education system.
Dr. Aland Mizell is President of the MCI and a regular contributor to Mindanao Times. You may email the author at:aland_mizell2@hotmail.com