On being fair and just to others

Director’s Cut: (This portion features the thoughts of DepED 11 Regional Director Susana Teresa B. Estigoy, CESO IV to all stakeholders and recipients of the efforts to improve the basic education) I do not consider my job as plain work -- rather it is my LIFE. “We have to continually examine what succeeds and fails, and why. We have to uphold and live true to our battlecry and slogan of governance: “Education For All (EFA) 2015: Karapatan ng Lahat, Pananagutan ng Lahat”

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In today's world, it is very easy for an individual or organization to say something bad about others given the numerous avenues they can do so. This is where proper education matters.

Education is a great equalizer. It shapes the nation towards its desired direction if the reforms and transformation needed are properly put in place and sustained from top to bottom.

This ideal state is better written (as I am writing this column and not saying it) than done. The education department does not only need committed and dedicated leaders and personnel but also the same qualities of stakeholders to push its drive in producing quality graduates who will become future leaders of the country.

Nothing can replace a student who manages his own learning and being able to apply it in the real world of work and life itself. However, he can only do this given the proper upbringing and training starting from the home and continued in the school, church and community as each of these institutions affect and influence each other.

That is why I am giving emphasis to the stakeholders. We don't need people who always criticize without giving concrete solutions to the issues and problems besetting the department. Others are even doing it even a certain program has not yet taken off or experiencing some birth pains normal for a thriving solution to immediate or perennial problems.

It is everybody's right to say his piece but it is also everybody's responsibility to thoroughly study and analyze the issue at hand. Whatever is written and come out to print will already be archived and though can be rectified but will already damage the institution it criticizes and the one hurling the invectives as well.

Reputation and integrity are difficult to build but can easily be ruined. A decade or century of building it will be subdued to oblivion if it will be tarnished because of false accusations.

It is a cowardly act to destroy a person or institution without giving their side on the issue. It is grossly unfair to present only one said of the issue, especially the negative without first exhausting all means to reach out to the other side.

Try to always ask and get sides. In an ideal state, guilty parties will always evade the issue but innocent ones will always be willing to air their side.

We will not harm each other, integrity wise, if at the very start, we will practice fair and unbiased dealings towards each other. Honesty begets honesty.

In the end, we will not be the one who will be benefitted by our concerted efforts but the very people we are dedicating our hardwork and perseverance to succeed – our children and grandchildren.

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You can access DepED Updates, latest issuances, photos and other relevant information through our website: http://www.deped.gov.ph and our Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/deped.regionxi. For comments, suggestions and/or contributions, send you email to deped_roxi@yahoo.com. For queries, complains and other concerns, call DepED Region 11 at (082) 227-9342 or fax to (082) 227-1102 and (082) 221-6147.

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Mr. Lorenzo E. Mendoza, M.A. is connected with DepEd Regional Office 11 and currently on study leave to pursue a degree in Diploma in ICT, Multimedia at TAFE South Australia through the Australian Endeavour VET Scholarship Grant under the management of Austraining International.