Playing with Fire
No objection to proposed new school opening but…
By Gonzalo Duque
WE wish to congratulate Region 1”s new chief Director Teody Taguibao, an Ilocano like you and us.
He hails from Cagayan. He replaced Dr. Caridad Abuan who is now in Region III.
Dr. Caring has done superbly well. And we are confident Director Teody will be able to match Caring’s performance, if not surpass it.
Welcome to Region I, Director Taguibao!
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The academic community is hotly debating the proposed change in the country’s school calendar—from June to September as the start of the school year. Our legislators are obviously smarting from the effects of the typhoons, hence the proposed change in the school opening schedule.
Certain DepEd officials, however, the likes of Sec. Admin Luistro, are cautioning against rushing the move on the school opening, citing climate conditions favoring the proposed change.
If you ask us, we are giving the idea on the elementary and high school sectors more time to be studied.
But in the college and university levels, ok na tayo diyan.
Such proposed change will give parents –especially the OCWs— more time and opportunity to mingle and have more bonding with their children when they take their vacation.
But we agree with the DepEd’s mindset that they need more time to study its implications.
But seriously, what’s more important is not the schedule—but an empowered educational system that would ensure the bright future of our youth. Changing the school calendar will not automatically improve the quality of education in the country.
We should work more for substantive reforms like improved facilities, more and larger classrooms, and other reform areas such as in terms of research components, etc.
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We are looking forward to the Assn of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities’ (APSCU) convention on January 16-17 at Hotel Leduc in Dagupan City. In case you don’t know the place, Leduc means Duque in French.
So there.
Central to the discussions would be the K+12 curriculum, according to Dr. Macky Samson, APSCU president.
We agree with Macky that our educational system must address the securing of the future of our graduates—that they become fruitful leaders in the years to come. You know, there are summa cum laudes who end up in landing in mediocre jobs.
Graduates should be seen as proofs of successful professionals.
TESDA – Technical Education and Skills Development Authority — has shown this.
There really is a need to re-orient the art of teaching. Teachers should graduate from the much despised spoon-feeding practice into becoming facilitators and guides.
Students should see themselves as what Dr. Rizal envisioned as the enlightened ones who will lead the country to a prosperous and bright future.
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We felicitate the Balingit family in connection with their newly reconstructed or renovated family building.
It seems to us the new generation is more up to date with the times having come up with a new resplendent building.
We know the thinking of the late respected Don Pedro “Kuya Pete” Balingit, considered the father of the drug industry in Dagupan.
It’s great that his grandchildren have taken after Kuya Pete’s pioneering leadership.
Medyo naluma ata sina Albert, Cecil at Baby kina Brian and the other grandkids, but, if we know, they must have coached the younger ones.
The Balingits are a proof that there are families who remain united and cohesive thru the years. Unlike some who—like the PAMA family in Manila—was broken by squabbles.
Mabuhay ang Balingit Family.
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