JULY - OCTOBER 2010
THE MENTORS’ JOURNAL
EDITORIAL 5
In jeopardy A darker challenge doomed the face of the teaching profession last September 17. Little did we notice this alarming threat. The whole country was bombarded with daily news about the usual PNoy criticisms, the recent hostage fiasco, the whole jueteng controversy, and the ever unrelenting word fight about the RH Bill between the bishops and the government. Amidst these typical issues that bannered in the newspapers and aired on news programs is an unusual and disturbing fact that should have been given more attention. A terrifying incident shook the knees of a few when a teacher in Caloocan got killed by her own student. Just because she scolded her student for sporting a long hair, the teacher received a toll unworthy for her concern—a literal stab in the back that ended her life. The saddening part is that many failed to notice this colossal episode which is too big to disregard. What is worse is that after only few weeks, the issue just passed like any normal Philippine happening. What most people do not see is that this is not a normal Philippine happening. Teachers discipline and teachers die, but teachers do not deserve to die because they discipline. They do not just teach, they also partake in an event that would change the country’s future. As part of their
grand duty, teachers mold their students to be what they should be. Part of their job is to impart, correct and reprimand. As second parents, they influence students to do more and to achieve more, so to reproach students when necessary is only right. We say that we want a better country, but how can we have what we desperately want if the kids of today who will be the leaders three years from now cannot even follow simple school policies about proper grooming like having a prim haircut? What kind of future will there be if this generation of kids resort to instantly killing people, especially teachers who scold them? If not through natural death, teachers die because of their vocation. Threats are inches away from them every time they choose to render their services for the country and extend their hands every election period—threats, more than anything else, which they do not deserve. Teachers deserve more but they agree to have less. If those are not enough sacrifices, think of their countless overtimes that do not correspond to their underpaid work. True enough, the face of the so-called noble profession has changed. From a refuge, teaching has turned into a dangerous ground which leaves a negative impact to the present educators. The possibility of brain drain may weaken the unstable education system of the Philippines. A fear of entering the
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profession may also dawn in the minds and dampen the spirits of the prospective teachers and may totally discourage them to pursue. What could be more upsetting than the fact that the rapidly decreasing number of teachers who stay in the country was reduced by one? What could have been in the mind of that student who killed one of the few teachers who chose to endure the
poor situation in public high schools? Look for a nation who does not value its educators, and surely you will find one rotting in poverty and corruption. This is a call to the one who should hear to see, if not to focus, on the abandoned cries of teachers of today and the worries of educators of tomorrow. A darker challenge dooms the face of the teaching profession. Are you still willing to take the risk?
The Mentors’ Journal The Official Publication of the Students of BulSU - College of Education
Editorial Staff 2010-2011 Editor-in-Chief Julie Ann O. Ramos Associate Editor Ruth Gladyz B. De Guzman Managing Editor for Administration Carlyd Mae C. De Jesus Managing Editor for Finance Ruby Rose R. Cruz Features Editor Jay Christian M. Ramos Hulagpos Editor Maria Jovy Ann C. Reyes Graphics Editor Therence D. Talla Graphic Artists Staff Writer Jenna N. David Khristine M. Balanay Sunshine D. Gravador Mercy C. Morales Ronnel B. Tafalla Adelaine J. Salvador Layout Artists Fernan O. Dealca Photojournalists Angelique L. Fernando Marian M. Santos
Contributors Aljon D. Galang Kenneth Caesar M. Javier
Adviser Dr. Avelina M. Aquino
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