EducationAnd

Development

Youth as the hope for our nation

Submitted to:Ms. Lorna Israel

Rona Alquiza YsaisS.Y. 2006-2007March 1, 2007

I. Introduction

Youth as the hope for our nation.

“Ang kabataan ay ang pag-asa nang ating bayan”, the famous line of Dr. Jose P.

Rizal. It is not only our national hero has believed that the youths are the hope of this

nation and of this world, but also many other people; they may not be well-known just like

him, others from the government who looks up to the youth, and other people who believes

in the capability of the young people.

As part of them, I do believe that youth are the hope for our nation. I can see and

say that the youth, plays an important role in continues development and improvement of

our nation and society, as long as they earn the real sense of education.

I had chosen this statement as my focus for this paper, because I wanted to further

learned and be knowledgeable through the capability of youth today, to prove and agree to

it that youth like me, will push towards global competitiveness by having the proper

education that will laid upon us by the professors in our school.

Our parents is our first teacher, Sa loob nang tahanan natututunan ang wastong pag-

uugali at tamang pakikisalamuha sa kapwa… laging pinapaalala nang mga magulang mga

kagandahang asal na minana natin, tulad nang mabuting pagtanggap sa panauhin,

pagkakaisa sa oras nang pangangailangan, o bayanihan (kanalee2005@yahoo.com).

There are philosophers and writers believed that having a proper education for

youth means having a community of teachers and professors that fit well in molding the

youth, the generation that will bring the success of our nation. According to Martin

Haberman, a professor in the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee USA, Successful

schools share a number of attributes – good leadership, common vision that prioritizes

learning, teachers who use best practices, an effective accountability system and parent

involvement. …Learning is the primary purpose and the ultimate value to develop in their

workplace and that learning outcomes are the primary criteria in evaluating teaching

success. In addition to Haberman, Ligaya Rodriguez also elaborated that …considering

that education is not the concern of educators alone but of everyone who believes that the

best investment of any government to develop its citizens is the education of the youth,

then there is a great need for networking. As such, each school is expected to benefit from

the active involvement of parents, local government, executives and community leaders in

the running of its affairs. Local governance of education allows each school to take full

advantage of local resources available for education. Furthermore, public schools are

expected to formulate together with stake holders the school improvement plan which

focuses on the leadership of the school heads and the participation of the stake holders in

its implementation and in the affairs of the school. …Therefore, in our wish to make the

quality of the education system improve, a school must have strong collaboration among

its stake holders, who must give their optimum contribution towards the improvement of

our schools and our nation. Freire agrees with the two, it goes on to say that education is a

process of continuous group discussion (dialogue) that enables people to acquire collective

that they can use to change the society. In support of Freire, James Banks (1991; 1993)

said that …”knowledge is not neutral,” and that “an important purpose of knowledge

construction is to help improve the society.

We can not always rely on the positive side of the world that everyone can afford to

pay for the tuition fee and not only that there are no enough or adequate place for them to

study. For a youth to concentrate in there studies they should feel comfortable in their

study place. Let us face the fact that there are factors that will pull us down towards

achieving the dreams that we all wanted to pursue.

Out of school youth and adults are those who have no access to formal schooling or

those who have dropped out of school without completing formal elementary or high

school education. There reasons for being out of schools are directly link to poverty.

Among the reasons are the absence of a school community, the need to work for augment

family income, disability, no money for school – related expenses, gender discrimination,

and different learning styles. In support of this Andrew Gonzales said that …and we shall

unable to create any improvement unless we could somehow cope with the numbers

coming to our schools each year, how more to public schools rather than the private

schools because of the heightened cost of living and schooling. There must be of course

cost cutting measures, the avoidance of wastage, the minimizing of graft, but these do not

contribute to the gigantic problems as much as insufficient resources do. We have more

children to educate and therefore we need more resources to be able to cope with this

heightened demand, increasing each year. The only means we can do is allocate more of

our scarce resources to education and to this scarce to carry out educational task as

economically and as effectively possible for the least amount possible.

II. Body (Subsections)

A. Poverty

According to Roberto S. Salva poverty is one factor that causes some of the young

people to quit in schooling, or sometimes because of this factor others are not given the

chance to go to school. This hinders the young one’s to achieve their dreams of learning

different knowledge that they can get from school. Poverty must put to an end. Just as one

of the goal in Millennium Development Goal (MDG) is to achieve universal primary

education, one of its targets is to achieve a universal access to primary education by

2015… while there is decreasing enrollment rate in the elementary school in a couple of

regions in the Philippines the proportion of enrollees at the beginning grade who reached

the final grade at the end of the required number of years of the study.

Also the first step in improving education is to recognize that the problems plaguing

our schools are rooted in the way our society is organized. We live in competitive economy

where business and individuals continually seek advantage and higher profits, and where

people on the bottom rung of the economic ladder are stigmatized as failures and are

blamed for their condition. Our culture glorifies violence in sports, movies, video games,

and on evening news broadcasts. It is a society where no one feels obligated to pay taxes

for the broader social good and where welfare “reform” means denying benefits to children

in their parents can not find work; a society that promotes the need for instant gratification

and uses youthful alienation to sell products; a society where those who do not fit in are

shunned (Bowles and Gintis 1976).

In addition to this, the NEDA reported that the proportion of the extreme poor in the

population is decreasing at the National Level. It also projects that by 2015, more than half

of the proportion of the extreme poor will be on its way up in the ladder of development.

B. Educator and learner relations; Classroom Terrorism

There must be an order in the classroom, where there is a good relationship between

the teacher and the students. Having a good association in between can lead to a great way

of understanding each other in terms of education and social life.

According to Eppie A. Manalo of Adventist University of the Philippines, there is such

an issue about terrorism in the classroom, teachers thought that consciously or

unconsciously they may have been terrorist to those who are entrusted to them – to teach,

train, care for, and love, through practices and behavior in some cases, ruined the future of

their students. Classroom terrorism is a reality that educators and teachers in particular,

have to recognize and confront. Being aware that they all practice classroom terrorism, in

one way or another, and knowing that the results are damaging to the students, this will

help them to apply necessary measures to eradicate it.

Teachers’ and pupils’ attitudes during test taking by Linda Borja Frondarina of San

Felipe Elementary School, she has stated one factor that can cause classroom terrorism …

During the administration of the test, it was noted that the teachers were soliciting answers

from seatmates. It was an event that teachers do not like to happen when their pupils are

taking their exams. But, just like their pupils, even in the presence of the proctor, teachers

were also like them – sharing answers with one another. What if the pupils happened to see

this happening? It would have been a big question on our part as teachers, if one or more

pupils saw what we were doing. Lastly, we are teachers. It is expected from us to

demonstrate what is right. Let us be the role model of good values to our pupils.

Delaney J. Kirk, a professor of management at Drake University has suggested five

points in order to have the class run smoothly and to avoid a bad relation between the pupil

and educator, as well as classroom terrorism. First, show students you care about them as

people, learn their names and where they’re from. Second, be consistent. Third, establish

credibility on the first day of class. Let the students know why you’re the best person to

teach this course. Fourth, deal with discipline problems as soon as they occur. And fifth,

demonstrate that your knowledge of the material is up to date and will benefit them in the

long run.

In addition, according to Bob Ong, “A teacher affects eternity, No one can tell where

his influence stops.”

C. Quality Education

Education is a virtual force that changes a man into a real man. It is the only element

that makes one a man fully armed with the necessary knowledge and skills and positive set

of values and work habits, this statement is according to Corazon Agcaoili Llapitan of

Claveria School of Arts and Trades.

Llapitan’s claim is supported by Venus P. Morales of Bayun Elementary School; she

said that Education is a very important treasure we have. It can lead us to greater chances

to face the ever changing world. We must be equipped with good education in order for us

to find decent jobs and greater offers the world could give. In the face of serious

competition from cyber space and big influence of media, quality education must be given

to the students in order to conquer the world. More innovations, programs, and policies in

education must be strongly implemented so that quality education will be achieved.

Lastly, according to Fernando C. Mateo of Abar First Elementary School; education

plays a strong foundation in our country. Our desire to achieve a more quality learning for

the native land entails a lot of challenges to focus on. Nevertheless, we should not leave

nor let chances and events hinder our quest for quality because education is a lifelong

process.

D. Youth Empowerment

Youth has the power to twist and make a change, nowawadys youth are more

stronger, brave and tough enough to bring out their best for their own interest and as well

as for the good of nation that they are living.

According to Nelson Felicisimo D. Luz, Philippines stands for global competitiveness,

and here we are, the young scientists, facing th challenge of the country. Yes, the trigger-

key to the world-class development and programs, racing with other nations, is a science

and technology oriented government and people. Today, the government keeps a sharp

focus on harnessing both human and natural forces, to realize sustainable and balanced

progress. We are to compete universally, in line with communication, education, health,

agriculture, industry, business and transportation; with our own resources as capital …

there must be a massive involvement of the youth, in all socio-economic programs. They

are all strong builders and producers who will turn energy and power towards a rich and

peaceful life. They will direct global competition into a country of peace and progress

loving citizens, and NO to destruction.

As to Domiciana Laguardia, she wrote a poem that supports the idea of Nelson

Felicisimo, entitled Working Youth Day:

A child should enjoy his youth and get run from playing,

His young mind develops as he keeps growing,

He learns more and more asnd progresses to the full,

Especially if he goes regularly to school.

He continues to acquire more and better education,

From elementary level to high school graduation,

His college education prepares him much further,

For him to get a job, and a lifetime career.

But due to difficult life, that we find ourselves in,

Even the young are forced to work for a living,

Most of them were abandoned or are either orphans,

Others work to comply with their parents’ demands.

These children are obviously in need of much mercy,

At a very young age, they’re working with urgency,

They should still be having run and enjoying their childhood,

But due to harsh circumstances, they’ve embraced parenthood.

It wouldn’t matter much, if the work is right for their age,

Work they’re capable of, light and easy to manage,

But if the work is service, and they’re treated cruelly,

This should be stopped and reported to the proper authority.

Others go to work after they’re through with their classes,

This is sheer ambitions coupled with sacrifices,

They’re improving themselves, as well as helping their parents,

They’ll finish their degree, success waiting at their hands.

Normally a person works, after completing his college course,

He’s now ready in mind and body, to enter the work force,

He’s had a lengthy preparations, to be ready and ensure

That the lifetime work he chose, gives him a truly bright future.

After all is said and done, let’s salute our young workers,

Who gave up their childhood, just to work as breadwinners,

They’re serving their families, as well as our government,

To all our Working Youth, receive or praise and compliments!

III. Conclusion

Having read and studied all the related literature and issues on Education: Youth

towards Global Competitiveness, it made me more believe on the capabilities of youth

today with regards to the development that they can persuade to their nation and

society.

Factors that affect youth in gaining their knowledge through education, must be

eliminated, like the issue of poverty. Also issues that rise up between students and

proctors of educators must be resolved. There should be a harmonious relationship

between the students and the teachers. The teachers should be enthusiastic in teaching

students who are eagerly in learning more, and in that way students will be more active

in participating in classroom discussions and activities. Learning ought to be fun and

exciting. Quality education can be achieved through having teachers and professors

that fits well and really educated about the subject they are imparting to their students.

More and new ways, methods must be used in presenting or in teaching in order to

eliminate boredom, because boredom affects the concentration the youth who wants to

learn more. And youth empowerment is seen on youth’s that have hearts for their

nations, those who are willing to sacrifice their youthfulness to pursue that they want

and sometimes to risk their dreams just to help others, like their family.

Education has really a big responsibility in molding and developing the minds of

the youth, training them for the best that they can be. As what Mr. Florencio “Butch”

Abad said, “The failure of education represents the failure of society. The failure of

education represents the inability of society to adequate; prepare its young for their

inevitable ascendancy into leadership roles in the future. The failure of education

represents the inability of society to properly perpetuate itself through succeeding

generations. In addition, Leticia Ramos said that nation depends on the kind of

education the children get, the knowledge to advance it, skills upgraded, and values in

grained in the heart, mind and sinews.

Finally, the essence of education is drawing out the best potentials of a person so

that he or she can be fruitful in serving his family and society as well. Youth must be

given the importance, especially on their needs of learning; they can bring the success

and compete for the best of their nation. The government must hear their cries, because

the voices of the youth will tell the path way to success and development of a nation.

Reference:

Journal:

A. Domiciana Laguardia, Working Youth Today, in The Modern Teacher vol. LV, no. 9 February, 2007. published by In The Grace School Inc. Paterno, Quiapo

B. Eppie A. Manalo, Terrorism in the Classroom, in The Modern Teacher vol. LV, no. 9 February, 2007. published by In The Grace School Inc. Paterno, Quiapo

C. Nelson Felicisimo D. Luz, The Youth towards Global Competitiveness, in The Modern Teacher vol. LV, no. 9 February, 2007. published by In The Grace School Inc. Paterno, Quiapo

D. Venus P. morales, Quality Education: A Bridge to the Competitive World, in The Modern Teacher vol. LV, no. 9 February, 2007. published by In The Grace School Inc. Paterno, Quiapo

E. Fernando C. Mateo in The Modern Teacher vol. LV, no. 9 February, 2007. published by In The Grace School Inc. Paterno, Quiapo

F. Corazon Agcaoili Llapitan in The Modern Teacher vol. LV, no. 9 February, 2007. published by In The Grace School Inc. Paterno, Quiapo

G. Linda Borja Frondarina, Teacher’s and Pupils’ attitudes during test taking. in The

Modern Teacher vol. LV, no. 9 February, 2007. published by In The Grace School

Inc. Paterno, Quiapo

H. Kanalee2005@yahoo.com in The Modern Teacher vol. LV, no. 9 February, 2007.

published by In The Grace School Inc. Paterno, Quiapo

A. Bowles and Gintis 1976 in Allan Singer & Michael Pezone Education for Social Change in Educators’ journal vol. 24, no. 10, March 2005

B. Freire in Allan Singer & Michael Pezone Education for Social Change in Educators’ journal vol. 24, no. 10, March 2005

C. James Banks (1991;1993) in Allan Singer & Michael Pezone Education for Social Change in Educators’ journal vol. 24, no. 10, March 2005

Ligaya Rodriguez in Community and School Network in the Philippine Journal of Education vol. LXXXV, no. 8, January 2007

Andrew Gonzales, Setting our education priorities straight in the Philippine Journal of Education vol. 10 March 2005

Florencio “Butch” Abad Schools are first: Empowering Schools to improve Philippine Education in the Philippine Journal of Education vol. LXXXIII, no. 9, February, 2005

Martin Haberman, in Transforming Schools into Learning Community in Educator’s Journal vol. 24, no. 10, March 2005

ABNKKBSNPLAKo?!, Bob Ong, 2001, Visual Prints Enterprises