The Philippines today is becoming the producer of the world’s human resources requirements — doctors, nurses, teachers, caregivers, nutritionists, engineers, etc. This means that our graduates may find employment not only here in the Philippines but also in other countries.

            The challenge is to strengthen our spiritual foundation and core values so that our graduates can face the demands of new working environment, both here and abroad where there is need to understand the nuances of other cultures.

            We can see how education can develop the potential of a human being. We all have the gift of unlimited potential. We see so many young boys just standing idle, playing pool or basketball in the middle of the day. So much time is being wasted instead of being used to pursue knowledge and learn skills to improve themselves and help others.

            Parents can do much to help their children grow to be assets of society. First of all, believe in their goodness and abilities. Encourage them: “Correction does much but encouragement does more.” If we have faith in them, they will be challenged to do things we never thought could be done. The parents’ good example is a powerful way to teach their children. They watch their elders all the time — what we say, how we act, how we practice what we preach.

            We, the teachers can also contribute towards nation building by imparting to our students not only knowledge, but right attitudes and values, to make our students be the best that they can become. We should never stop learning and improving ourselves, for we cannot give what we do not have.

            The community has been always a part in this challenge. In a way, all of us are teachers, as we live our lives in our communities. The young are observing the adults. All of us are responsible for the kind of future we will bequeath to the next generation.

            Our students should have a set of values that will motivate them as emerging leaders to engage and participate in the larger society; to have a positive influence in improving the life conditions of others as well as themselves, and be a lifelong learner with a disposition for learning and achievement. We must help them become masters, not of other persons, but of themselves and their own destinies.

            At the end of the day, these values are what will enable our students to make a difference in a given milieu, be it in the Philippines or in the global village. This is in essence, education with an attitude.

By: Mark Louie S. Diwa