We Advocate Time Consciousness and Honesty (W.A.T.C.H) is a joint Values advocacy movement of the JCI Senate Philippines, Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Office of the President for Education and Education Related Organizations of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU), PRISAA which maintain objective to inculcate to the Filipino youth the value of Punctuality and Honesty in the development and productivity of our Nation. Every school should know and understand the value of punctuality in the context of the development of a better Filipino Character; should cherish and value punctuality as an integral part of a true Filipino; and should identify concrete strategies that will assist an individual.
To strengthen the values of punctuality and honesty among the DedED officials and employees, the Department of Education has issued Memorandum Nos. 160 and 387, s. 2008 as a significant step in bringing about fundamental change or social transformation. And to encourage every individual to attain this goal, a W.A.T.C.H program was organized wherein every school can conduct an orientation or SLAC to support the W.A.T.C.H program. Teachers could also integrate the concept/program particularly the goals and objectives to their subjects where ever there is a point of entry, specifically in Values Education/GMRC and Home Economics. These activities could be initiated by the school principal and with the coordination of all teachers.
In this way, they could encourage not only the pupils but also the parents to understand the value of time consciousness and honesty for the core development of every individual. If everyone is punctual and honest, there will be a concomitant valuing for self-respect and for respecting others’ time. These values cannot be taught but they can be caught by simply modelling the practice and making it a habit. The awareness of the benefits they can derive from being a WATCH implementer is basically the end goal in establishing a WATCH School.
By: Jennifer A. Quiroz | Master Teacher I | Cataning Elementary School
