WHEN I was still in college (attending classes for my supplemental units in Education), my attention was caught by an author (William Arthur Ward) who classified teachers into four: "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires."
During my teaching days in that "noble profession," I tried to be good as a demonstrator to inspire students who want to make a difference in their lives. My students can judge me now based on Ward's classification of teachers. I know that most of them have been subjected to my "firing squad strategy" in my utmost desire to let them develop critical thinking. I also taught them to "to keep their cool under fire."
The World Teachers' Day is observed every year on October 5 to celebrate the essential role of teachers in providing quality education at all levels and instilling in children and adult values and principles to enable them to contribute to their local community and global society. In our country, PD No. 242 (August 4, 2011) declares September 5 to October 5 of every year as National Teachers' Month to honor our teachers for their great contribution in the education of the young and the building of nation.
I salute our teachers because they make responsible human beings and they construct the nation, not the engineers, not the contractors, not Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). In the celebration of the World Teachers' Day and National Teachers' Month, we witnessed varied affairs: symposia, Asean pageant, fashion show, sports competition, educational trips, awarding of outstanding teachers, among others. These are good because we remember and honor our teachers. These happened on "special days only." After the celebration, teachers go back to reality (especially those teaching in public schools).
What is reality? One classroom is too small for more than 60 pupils or students. In one big campus, the comfort rooms are not comfortable. Some schools do not have faculty rooms for teachers. Some classrooms are dilapidated. Some classes are even held under the trees. There are schools that the construction of new classrooms for Junior High School and Senior High School have been delayed for three years.
There are schools that teachers are made to hold classes in "temporary classrooms" jam-packed in the covered court, basketball court, or even playgrounds. We are reminded of "Marawi refugees." How can we expect excellent, competitive, and global education if our teachers and students are dehydrated? Aristotle said that teaching and learning can only prosper if the teachers do not have mental baggage and the students can freely spread their wings to learn new things.
We do not insult our teachers and students. How can they interact in a "battery-like structure"? Our teachers have to be on top of their voice to compete with other teachers who are also vocalizing in the next rooms. If this is not funny, how do we call it? DPWH has a lot to explain. The regional directors have to check their superintendents and district supervisors on the delay. We don't want to call it "the politics and infighting" in the Department of Education or simply "the vindictiveness" of wicked school administrators.
Somehow it is good that teachers could unionize as part of labor organizations in this country. Iloilo is already starting (or has started) forming unions for teachers as allowed by law. United teachers can always bring forward their cause... increase of salary, budget for equipment, and even their cause against abusive principals, supervisors, and superintendents. Our teachers could not afford to be sitting ducks only against inside and outside abuses. If they can defend their students, they have also to defend their own rights against oppressors.
I could still remember the days when we joined the Association of Concerned Teachers (ACT)-Philippines where we risked ourselves in street rallies after class hours to fight for teachers' welfare. Some of my co-teachers now have been promoted as superintendents, principals and supervisors. We were in the "blacklist" of the superintendent. After a long fight, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports increased our salary... and that includes the salary of supervisors, principals, and superintendents.
My fellow ACT teachers reproduced the copy of the "blacklist" and posted a copy in front of every classroom. Our superintendent kept a sweet smile and exercised "maximum" tolerance. She did not accuse us. No one was suspended. No one was kicked out! This is a proof that if teachers can only be united, freedom can always be preserved and sanctified. We did it in the past, and it can still happen.
There is a "teleserye" on TV about a "Super Teacher." I hope that she will fight not just the thugs and the elementals. She has to discover what lurks in the education system and bring out all evils. Good luck teachers!