School openings and teachers

“A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others.” – Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

This week, most schools across the country opened their doors to a total of roughly 21 million students. Inevitably, the start of a new school year brought many challenges for school officials, parents, and both local and national government agencies. Other than the perennial problems that occur every year, this year’s opening woes were exacerbated by the effects of a typhoon. In the midst of all these struggles, it is the teachers, however, who must directly face and attempt to overcome the trials and tribulations that come with the new academic year.

Teaching is a noble profession that is full of personal sacrifices. Nobody gets into teaching expecting to get rich or lead a relaxed life. Other than actually teaching, teachers need to check student works, grade students, attend meetings and perform several other tasks. In addition, teachers often need to go above and beyond in their zeal to educate the next generation. We have often heard about instances where teachers in the province travelling long distances, using their own resources and spending almost the whole day working in their efforts to fulfill their mission. What is troubling is that despite their sacrifice, teachers often face other unnecessary obstacles.

Given that teachers have a large role in the development of the next generation of our country’s citizens, we must take this occasion to focus on helping equip and capacitate our teachers to fulfill their task and to mitigate if not eliminate the said obstacles. There are several government programs and policies for teacher welfare that are set to be implemented this year. These include the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, the Career Progression Policy, additional benefits, and rationalization and reduction of some tasks. Advocacy groups are pressing for more benefits and training for our teachers and government has been in continuous discussion with stakeholders to provide for these needs. Government alone, however, cannot solve the problems plaguing our teachers. Other sectors need to step up and help our educators.

In South Korea, teacher suicides have risen over the past few years because of bullying by both parents and students. In the Philippines, there have also been incidents of teachers being bashed by over-sensitive students and teachers. Although there are instances where teachers may cross the line, we must also realize that teachers will need a bit of leeway to shape our kids into stronger and more resilient individuals. As such, we must support efforts made by lawmakers and policymakers alike to protect our teachers from bashing and bullying.

Today is also the feast day of St. Ignatius of Loyola. When I think of teachers, I always remember the Prayer for Generosity of St. Ignatius because many teachers often “give and do not count the cost, fight and not heed their wounds, toil and do not seek for rest and labor without asking for reward.” As this year’s academic activities begin, let us pause and honor the teachers who tirelessly strive to do their duties.

These are my oblique thoughts for the day.

Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in the foregoing article are solely the author’s and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the Philippine News Agency (PNA) or any other office under the Presidential Communications Office.