Beefing up the education system

The Department of Education recently confirmed that the laptop sold in a Cebu surplus shop was theirs. It was an admission that government property, supposedly for the advancement of basic education, was sold off by one of their personnel.

As to who did this mind-boggling crime is yet to be discovered but the department has already tracked the accountability of the laptop. Other teachers said the device was useless, as it was slow and obsolete. It just couldn't keep up with the demands of their work. Following this narrative, the end-user might have thought that it would be better off sold. A couple more bucks added to their already-meager salary would be helpful especially during these hard times.

But there is actually more to just the lack of equipment and facilities to teachers in this department. During a recent visit to one of the national high schools, I saw how students were cramped inside a room. Others were elated at their shortened schedules because the school needed to implement classes in shifts just so everyone is accommodated. Teachers are overworked as they handle a multitude of classes in a day, plus their added duties for extra-curricular activities. Students go home, often neglecting that day's assignment or lesson, and just come to class in order to pass. The standards are seldom in check since they live by the mantra of not leaving a student behind.

It is sad to note that the backbone of our youth today, which is supposedly the education sector, diminishes its quality by the minute. No matter how hard the teachers try their best to instill knowledge, a lot of outside factors just get in the way. Their creativity is at most times curtailed and their morale dips to a low especially when a colleague gets involved in a viral issue.

There are so many things to note and papers to comply with in the Department plus the hours spent in meetings. Students have a slim chance of actually having a mentor where one sits down to correct and guide. I see that as a better method, especially for children these days. However, the demands of the teachers are just robbing them of that even if they want to do so.

The different issues hounding the Education sector must be a wake-up call for top officials on how the basic curriculum is implemented. They should look towards the grassroots, not just analytics which is often provided by those who live in the urban areas. Teachers must receive what they deserve. Calling it a "noble" job just wouldn't cut their need to survive and feed their families. We keep on calling for equality and democracy, yet we fail to give this even in the most basic sector.

We continue to hope that the investigation of the laptop issue wouldn't just be something administrative but should be coupled with concrete action. People's taxes are hard earned from their salary that’s often not enough.