We go to school to obtain education – that which signifies the activity, process or enterprise of being educated. Yet, we have been programmed to “earn a college degree in order to cope with the rapid changing times”. In the Age of Information Technology, we are required to become competitive not only as citizens, but netizens as well of a virtual village. With a diploma, we are expected to “land on a stable job.” Yes, there are the diploma mills. But, for chrissakes, where are the industries?
Constitutional provision
Education is said to be one of the principal means that society employs to carry out its national policies and objectives. The state sets the aims of education either in its Constitution or in its laws, or in both.
Such aims of education are believed to greatly determine the nature of education that citizens acquire and consequently what kind of citizens the country has.
The general aims of education in the Philippines are specifically outlined in Article XIV, Section 5. “All schools shall aim to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience, and vocational efficiency, and to teach the duties of citizenship.”
A specialized agency
The development of moral character is stressed in the home and in the school – a specialized agency that carries out the general aims of education. Pre-school education emphasizes social relationships, physical and mental growth, and the development of personal habits and attitudes through informal activities.
Elementary education aims to make every child acquire the basic skills, knowledge, habits, attitude, appreciation and ideas to make him/her an efficient and intelligent citizen in a democratic society. Meanwhile, the general function of secondary education is the continuation of general education started in grade school, which prepares for a vocation or for higher studies. Tertiary education stands for higher learning that concentrates on different areas/fields of specialization.
The school – as a specialized agency – is expected to offer personal discipline necessary in a democracy and develops civic conscience to promote common welfare, assists in the development of vocational education, skills, and efficiency; and teaches duties of citizenship.
Schooled, but not educated
Despite attaining some form of schooling, did it ever cross our minds or have we taken time to ponder that we’ve spent too much time in a “specialized agency”, learning only so very little? We are schooled but sad to say never been educated. The sorry state of our educational system leads us to wrong priorities. How come a baccalaureate degree is taught to be better than a technical education?
To solve major problems in the Philippine educational system, educational targets and goals focus on “improvement of science and mathematics education, institutionalization of early childhood care and development, the provision of continuing education for the youth and adults, eradication of illiteracy, and the strengthening of indigenous culture, arts, and sports (though not actually new), and the strengthening of alternative education/distance learning. And for as long as there is a Filipino child unable to have access to basic schooling or where there is an out-of-school youth or adult who is a functional illiterate, these six national educational performance goals and objectives will continue to be appropriate and relevant.
In the song “Next in Line”, a striking message was delivered. “What’s there to look forward to beyond school life?” School is more than paperwork. More than classroom discussions and a load of philosophies and theories. It should orient us to life’s important facts. Education is our right and is important in a democracy. It is embedded in our society to show us that one of the most important aspects of a man’s life is that which concerns his relationships with others.
Knowledge comes, but…
What we actually need is that kind of education that molds characters. Character is the sum total of all the qualities or virtues that one possesses. We are in need of that kind of education that hones minds and competencies, instead of indoctrinating. And that which helps build a productive, responsible and conscientious society.
So we urge schools to be honest about the status of nursing in the country. We demand that they face the truth that there isn’t enough work for nurses here, so why keep the diploma mill running and give students false hopes?
Today, we are schooled. But sad to say, never educated. We still lack the basics of a lesson that would lead to equal opportunities and affirmative action regardless of creed, color and gender. Regardless of not having padrinos, or backers!
Most of all, how could we ever expect school to amount to something if it continues to emphasize on knowledge but less on wisdom?
Knowledge in math and the sciences comes – but wisdom lingers. – Maria Eleanor E. Valeros
