MY PUBLIC SCHOOL EXPERIENCE

Last month, I had a wonderful opportunity to teach in a public school courtesy of a cousin who is a proud fellow of Teach for the Philippines. I actually wanted to show my support for his advocacy, not just through Facebook messages, but by personally visiting him in his school and see how he was doing. He suggested that, to make use of my visit, I should talk about my work to his Grade 3 students. He thought that I could serve as a “role model” to them, inspire them to study hard, and entice them to consider going into my chosen career when they grow up.   

I had my talk in two of his classes. The first class was very rowdy and noisy. The second class was very smart and well-behaved.  I learned that the latter group of kids belongs to the top section and they are very much motivated to study. I asked why the school has to separate the brainy kids from the naughty ones and my cousin explained that if you mix them together, the naughty ones usually influence and pulls down the brainy ones. 

While I was there, the familiar problems of public elementary schools glared straight at my face: 

1. overpopulated students in one classroom;

2. dilapidated tables and chairs;

3. lack of books and other learning materials;

3. school children without uniforms and ‘baon’;

4. stinky toilet facilities with no water;

5. grouchy and unmotivated teachers (some of them) who are underpaid.  

After talking (or more like yelling) and sweating the whole morning in front of the kids, I talked to my cousin and learned a lot from his work. That day, I realized that:

1. Some students do not have the basic literacy (reading, writing, even arithmetic skills) that they are expected to have especially when they reach grade 3. Majority of them quit school to start working. Others just go undetected by their teachers who usually give their students passing marks so that they won’t have to teach them again.  

2. Most of these students go to school hungry and smelly. They do not have food to eat or money to buy snacks. Some of them go to school without taking a bath or brushing their teeth. Their conditions make it hard for them to concentrate on their studies.   

3. Strong parental support is critical in a child’s education. All of the kids in the school are poor, but in the two classes where I taught, the brainy ones are encouraged by their parents to study, while the naughty ones do not get as much support from their parents.

4. Parent education is also essential to promote the value of learning. Most of the students’ parents are illiterate or uneducated. While some of them want their children to end their family’s cycle of ignorance, others do not care about the importance of education in their children’s future.

These are just some of my bitter realizations about the state of public elementary school in this country. While I am quite disheartened, I am also hopeful. This short exposure all the more caused me to appreciate the advocacy of Teach for the Philippines and the commitment of their teacher fellows. I have to salute them for their dedication to teach, despite the dire situation they have to bravely face every day for the next two years of their lives.

I would really encourage young people to join similar endeavors like Teach for the Philippines. Similar to military service or any voluntary work, this experience will definitely give them an opportunity to contribute to national development. Contrary to common perceptions, two years with Teach for the Philippines is not a waste of time. It can actually be a good foundation to hone one’s leadership qualities and develop one’s work ethics. It can also be a good source of learning experience on character building and yes, even stress management. For fresh college graduates, this will be a good preparation for any career endeavors they wish to pursue. It will certainly give them the right perspective and strong motivation to make a positive difference.

Though it was only for a day, my TFP experience was indeed memorable. My cousin asked me if I could serve as a role model to his kids, but I honestly believe that HE is the role model these kids should strive to be. I may be older and have accomplished more, but he is definitely one of the few who I consider my Role Model.