School opening in September?

Here we go again, reopening an old issue on Philippine education. As before, a legislator started the hornets of opinion boozing again. I remember way back in 1994 while I was still at the education department, a congressman also floated the same idea. In response, Education Secretary Arman Fabella (bless his soul!) ordered the various regional offices to conduct consultations in their respective regions. The result: More than 90 percent of those consulted, most of whom parents, were against the change.

Recently, it was reported that the big players in tertiary education (University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and the University of Santo Tomas) are open to the proposed new opening month. The same is true with CHED and DepEd. Whatever is good for our students we go for it, says Secretary Luistro, who at the same time gave his reactions to the justifications for the proposed change. Such justifications, which include synchronizing our opening month to that of other Asean countries, is relevant to the proposed integration of ASEAN members starting in 2015. But the reason cited to the effect that a June opening exposes school kids to adverse weather conditions is not quite acceptable considering climate change. Besides, weather disturbances usually affect only certain areas of the country, unlike summer months whose impact is nationwide. The Secretary also revealed that this proposal was studied in 2009 with the result that 66 percent of the respondents were against the move.

Studies, consultations-there have been aplenty in the past and all pointed to one conclusion: No to changing school opening to September. So why debate the issue now? We suspect there's a suspicious motive behind this. And that motive has something to do with deflecting a major issue: the PDAF scam. Presently, some senators and representatives are facing charges for alleged involvement in the P10-billion scam, and scores are being investigated. But even while this is going on, the stigma has been hatched and every member of Congress is held in suspicion. Of course, this is unfair to the uncorrupted. But who can blame the people for generalizing?

So this supposed bomb shell of an issue. But will it work? If anything, the idea seems not attuned to the needs of the time. Right now the matter of rehabilitation and reconstruction in calamity areas are a major concern. The same is true with reduction of casualties and damages in future catastrophes. There are bridges to be rebuilt, roadways to be repaired. There are buildings to be renovated and for the needy, houses to be constructed.

What's the plan of Congress for all these? We have not heard of any. I suggest, our honorable congressmen take note of columnist Bobit Avila's piece (The Freeman, January 7, 2014) about constructing a typhoon-proof facility to house container vans stacked with medical supplies, relief goods, food and water and other materials for use as quick-response materials in case of Yolanda-type typhoons. To this I would add the building of typhoon-resistant evacuation centers where people can take shelter in whenever a typhoon would strike in their area. Fitted with adequate sleeping quarters, sanitations and others facilities, these structures can serve as school houses in ordinary days, thus solving at the same time the dearth of classrooms after a severe storm. Moreover, in storm-surge areas such as Tacloban, there ought to be structures built along the shoreline to serve as breakers to the onslaught of monster waves. With these in place, any repeat occurrence of the onrush of sea water into the commercial and residential areas can be minimized, if not prevented. If Congress can come up with a law on these measures and provide it with adequate logistics, it might yet redeem itself from its current shabby reputation.

Changing the opening of schools? Perhaps, later. But right now the call of the hour is preparedness against the ever life-threatening natural calamities. It's a matter of life and death for thousands of Filipinos and the current leadership, including our brilliant congressmen, ought to do something right now about it.