John Adams. Theodore Roosevelt. Franklin Roosevelt. John Kennedy. Different popular individuals and personalities. Different personage with different ideologies. But, what particular thing do these ex-American president share in common? They’ve graduated on the same university. “The Springboard for US Presidency”, Harvard. AND based on their performances, they are globally-competitive..
On the other hand, in matters of national security, environmental sustainability, and economic development in our nation, what we do as Filipinos is inextricably intertwined with what governments, businesses, and individuals do beyond our borders.
Yes, education system in the Philippines is insufficient to produce student who’s competitive enough. Missing in this formula for a world-class education is an urgent call for schools to produce students that actually know something about the world–its cultures, languages and how its economic, environmental and social systems work.
Nowadays, you may frequently hear of the terms such as “further education”, “distinction education” and “college for the elderly” in your daily life. The varied terms concerning education indicate that the number of people willing to keep on learning is swelling. Why do people, regardless of age, gender and background, come to value constant learning? A careful analysis of this phenomenon shows that improving system of education is both a necessity in modern society and an inner need in life.
With the rapid development of science and technology, one will fail to keep pace with social changes if he is satisfied with his status quo and refuses to learn more. In the office, paper and pen are giving way to word processor; in the classroom, blackboard and chalk are less used than multimedia equipment. Senior employees and elderly teachers cannot adapt to these changes and work effectively without learning further. Many modern citizens distribute more of their spare time to learn because they start to realize the importance of knowledge.
It is knowledge that makes man intellectual; it is knowledge that helps man make wise judgment; it is knowledge that equips man to fight against challenges from the outside world and gain success. And of all this importance trace their roots on “Education”.
Global competence is a crucial shift in our understanding of the purpose of education in a changing world. Students everywhere, especially here in our country deserve the opportunity to succeed in the global economy and contribute as global citizens. We must fashion a more creative and competitive educational response to the interconnected world of the 21st century. So, let us start–NOW!
By: Mary Ann S. Aclado | Teacher II | Mariveles National High School – Poblacion | Mariveles, Bataan
