School fields have been part of every educational institution in the Philippines. From the kindergarten to the universities, field trips are one school activity that many students look forward to. Before, schools would gladly endure the expenses of field trips just to make sure they provide students with the experience of enriching their appreciation for culture and history.
This is because most field trips before were comprised of going to various historic places and museums. Students are offered learning on the rich history of their country including the culture as well as appreciation for the arts. Hand in hand with these experiences and learning, the students are guided to connect the learning with the present times and what these learning contribute to the society today.
However, at present, field trips have become a financial obligation for students. The cultural and historical aspects have also been supplemented if not entirely replaced with theme parks and shopping malls. Students now look forward to the “pleasure” side of the field trip more than the “educational” side of it. This is alarming because field trips were not designed for the purpose of just merriment or pleasure in terms of education.
Rather, field trips were “invented” in education to promote students’ awareness of their country’s culture, history, and art. These trips can also help develop students to become more observant and enhance their critical thinking skills as well. It can also be to supplement students’ learning on specific fields such as going to botanical gardens and zoos to learn science, go to factories to learn industry, machineries, and businesses, and/or go to specialization schools to see and observe laboratories or display showrooms of these specializations schools. These specializations can be in robotics, aeronautics, sciences, mathematics, machineries, hospitality and service industries, and many more.
In conclusion, field trips play an important role in the education of students but it has to be meticulously and discreetly planned and implemented.
By: Charito R. Balagasay | Teacher III | Pilar Elementary School | Pilar, Bataan
