The great Jose Rizal had said, “the pen is mightier than the sword.” This truly reflects his belief that education is an effective tool to achieve freedom. After a century, why are we still struggling to achieve quality education? Have we failed our national hero in pursuing the long freedom? Are we really free citizens of the country?

Everyone has the right for education. This means that having an education sees no boundaries. There is no separation between the social classes and colors in terms of being educated. This means that education should be provided to all. And this is also the reason why we have public schools. These are the schools run by the government. These are the schools funded by the working population, who are paying their taxes. These are the schools who teach students for free.

If this is the case, why is the number of illiterate children still escalating? Are we to blame this to the booming population? The point is that we are living in the third world country. Unlike in other countries, in which education until college is free, to be educated here in the Philippines is costly for our people. Most of the people is earning below the minimum wage. Between food and education, what do you think will be prioritized? For instance, if you were to choose, between going to school and eating breakfast, what would you choose? 

But how would we address this? The answer is education. If we work hand-in-hand in implementing the k-12 program, in two-year time, we will develop graduates who are fit to work, who are well-prepared to have a job. In this manner, we will help them to earn money that then leads to uplifting them from the poverty line. Education is the answer to poverty. It is a good thing that education here in the Philippines is not for sale.

By: Juan Kristopier D. Angeles