Graduation rites are almost everywhere in the Philippines. As we share the jubilation of graduates and respective families, let us likewise reflect on the state of the Philippine Educational System.
Reviewing my decade long paper on this topic, I find the framework still relevant, particularly the concepts on what education should be. With updated data from some current links, a comparison on what it is now will make us see the gap or the problem.
In most countries of the world, there is a widespread acceptance of the principle that education is a fundamental human right. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 26) states that everyone has the right to education. The 1987 Philippine Constitution recognizes education as basic right of every Filipino. Enshrined in the Article XIV is the mandate for the protection and promotion of the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and the appropriate steps to be taken to make education accessible to all.
The same constitution relates education and nationalism. Section 3 of the aforementioned Article states that all educational institutions shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights, appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country, teach the rights and duties of citizens.
This nationalist oriented educational philosophy is expected to develop an enlightened and nationalistic citizenry imbued with democratic ideals, unselfish in their commitment to serve the national community, and proud of being a Filipino.
The third concept points to the role of education as change agent. Education is expected to transform individuals and institutions, systems or structures. Human nature has the tendency to satisfy vested interest at the expense of others. As society develops, the tendency has been institutionalized resulting to a system dominated by a conglomeration of power-hungry cliques. Taking advantage of the passivity caused by innocence or ignorance of the less privileged, they perpetuate a system of control and maneuver the course of events to suit their designs and caprices.
An educated person is one who has undergone the process of conversion within. Such change is expected to radiate in the society. As he/she moves out of the shell and actively contribute to the affairs of the community, transformation takes place. To borrow the words of Sr. Mary John Mananzan, the process of change involves “people steeped in a culture of silence to break through this barrier to a self expression and self assertion that is necessary in the transformation of society where the few decide for the many.”
Finally, education is akin to development. It brings new knowledge, ability and skills in continuous technological, managerial and organizational improvement. Subsequent economic growth is expected in a community or society of educate people. Moreover, education helps build an atmosphere conducive to development. As educated persons are assumed to respect law and order and foster relationships.
Given the assumptions above vis-à-vis the statistics placing the Philippines among highest literacy status, we can safely expect to see developments in the lives of Filipinos.
Present reality, however, shows otherwise. Details in the next blog
Showing posts with label Transformation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Transformation. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
True Service
Last Friday, I had the privilege of being the speaker of the First Commencement Exercise of the Negros Theology Seminary (NETS). Despite my health condition, the administrators requested for a recorded video message. Most of the administrators and faculty were former students in the Master of Socio Pastoral Ministries.
Let me share the main points to the readers. The scriptural basis for the message, as requested, was Luke 5: 1-11. Using the acronym of the seminary -NETS, I have organized my points in the context of the story, as follows:
Needs
1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.
The first two verses present the needs of people and Jesus, as well as that of the fishermen. Jesus needs a pulpit to satisfy the cravings of the people for God’s words. In finding a boat, Jesus ably meet the needs both of the people and the owner of the resources. For Jesus also knows the needs of Simon and company. He understands that Peter and his coworkers are capable of bringing in a huge catch. But the problem is that they are absolutely convinced nothing is there to catch, having spent the whole night.There’s a need to overcome their pride.
Encounter
3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
Such is the encounter of Jesus with the veteran fishermen. After the paradigm shift of using the boat as pulpit, Jesus moves on to the next level of change. In the guise of gratitude for the favor, he encouraged Simon to resume fishing for a compensated catch. With reservation grounded on experience and expertise, Simon dared to risk another attempt. Surprisingly, the cycle has been broken by such paradigm shift. An overwhelming catch rocked their boats.
Transformation
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”
Humbled by the encounter, the veteran fisherman bowed to the carpenter’s son. It is safe to presume that Simon might have under estimated Jesus. A transformation takes place in Simon’s heart. But it was just a prelude of the real transformation in the lives of the fishermen. Thereafter they become fishers of men.
Service
11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
This seals off the transformation process. Instead of savoring the gains of their catch, they forsake all and follow Jesus. Rather than advancing their needs and interests, they serve the interests of Christ – advancing the Kingdom of God.
True service is a by- product of transformation, resulting from a personal encounter with the One who knows our needs.
Let me share the main points to the readers. The scriptural basis for the message, as requested, was Luke 5: 1-11. Using the acronym of the seminary -NETS, I have organized my points in the context of the story, as follows:
Needs
1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.
The first two verses present the needs of people and Jesus, as well as that of the fishermen. Jesus needs a pulpit to satisfy the cravings of the people for God’s words. In finding a boat, Jesus ably meet the needs both of the people and the owner of the resources. For Jesus also knows the needs of Simon and company. He understands that Peter and his coworkers are capable of bringing in a huge catch. But the problem is that they are absolutely convinced nothing is there to catch, having spent the whole night.There’s a need to overcome their pride.
Encounter
3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
Such is the encounter of Jesus with the veteran fishermen. After the paradigm shift of using the boat as pulpit, Jesus moves on to the next level of change. In the guise of gratitude for the favor, he encouraged Simon to resume fishing for a compensated catch. With reservation grounded on experience and expertise, Simon dared to risk another attempt. Surprisingly, the cycle has been broken by such paradigm shift. An overwhelming catch rocked their boats.
Transformation
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”
Humbled by the encounter, the veteran fisherman bowed to the carpenter’s son. It is safe to presume that Simon might have under estimated Jesus. A transformation takes place in Simon’s heart. But it was just a prelude of the real transformation in the lives of the fishermen. Thereafter they become fishers of men.
Service
11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
This seals off the transformation process. Instead of savoring the gains of their catch, they forsake all and follow Jesus. Rather than advancing their needs and interests, they serve the interests of Christ – advancing the Kingdom of God.
True service is a by- product of transformation, resulting from a personal encounter with the One who knows our needs.
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