Every teacher needs to be familiar with the knowledge of Sociology of Education to effectively deliver quality, globally inclined, locally grounded and realistic education to students. It is only when a teacher understands how the complexities and simplicities of society affect students’ lives; he can fully become an educator.
For couple of years now, I have been working with the underprivileged students in the mountains of barangay New Cabalan of our city. I was reassigned from a Special Science Curriculum, where I handled intellectually gifted students who mostly needed challenging activities rather than spoon feeding approach. Students who I never saw lack of resources and motivation to pursue education, and even more.
Many Filipinos do not have a chance to attend and finish formal basic education due to many reasons. Some drop out from schools while some do not have schools in their communities. Pursuant to the 1987 Philippine Constitution and Governance Act for Basic Education otherwise known as the Republic Act 9155, the Alternative Learning System (ALS) was established to provide out-of-school children, youth and adults population with basic education.
A whole new world with very diverse learners from what I used to handle. A very tough challenge to leave my comfort zone, close colleagues, and a lot more, however, I accepted the challenge with my whole heart, thinking of my true purpose as a teacher is never for myself but for the learners.
It was a hard beginning because from fifty learners almost 10-15 only were attending classes, but I did not stop. I visited them in their houses, had counseling, and made them realized the importance of education until they all completed.
While not the easiest group of students I’ve ever worked with, I learned a lot about teaching that year, and it was the first time an ideal of mine was shattered, leaving me forced to bring together my beliefs about making a metamorphosis in this world with some stimulating truths.
For case in point, a large barrier to their learning came in the form of the home environment. Some of these students were also parents. Some lived with one adult and spent most of their time taking care of younger siblings. In many cases, the students’ parents were not well-educated enough to assist with homework. There were also huge differences in culture, beliefs, status, financial capabilities and more.
Like the universe where we live, pieces of the whole are interrelated, and you cannot deny the fact that as a teacher there is a need to be familiar with the knowledge of Sociology of Education. As our body cannot survive without the heart and the brain, so does education fail the students when factors from society are not properly cared. If it weren’t my knowledge of sociology of education, I wouldn’t be able to take my students into survival.
Ultimately, effective education takes part when factors in the sociology of education are properly taken into consideration, that is why every teacher needs to be familiar with the knowledge of the sociology of education.
By: Corskie M. San Jose | Teacher III | ALS New Cabalan, Olongapo City
