Education can improve the quality of life of every Filipinos. If we educate one child at a time and truly engage each learner to the best learning experiences possible, we can ensure a better life for everyone in the Philippines and create a society suitable for each to maintain a balanced state of living.
Providing a quality education and a system that is adaptable to the ever-changing world is a challenge, yet beneficial for everyone. Most countries which were considered best for the quality of living, such as Canada, were also ranked among the top countries in terms of education.
Quality of living can be viewed in different perspectives, but on a personal note, it means a safe, secure and stable life.
In Philippine setting, money gives us safety, makes us feel secure and maintains stability. If you do not have money, you cannot buy a house and lot in a gated community where guards secure the area 24/7. Even if there are guards, you still need to put CCTV cameras to secure that your house is safe or no burglars will try to invade your property which requires more money. Even our health requires a lot, or you will end up under grave. If you get sick, hospitals will require downpayment before you will be treated. If you go to a government hospital, you need to endure the long and tiring line before you meet the doctor and be assessed. Even if you have healthcard or insurance, you still need to pay it monthly.
I have seen these in my years in the Philippines, which is quite alarming. Can we ascertain the quality of life for the future generations? What can we do to make our country, the best place to live in for Filipinos? Will education halt this problem? Will saving the ignorants help save our lives?
The answer is YES. A big YES. Education will provide each person the skills and competencies needed to be able to cope up with life. Just like how a cub learn how to catch a prey. Cubs practice catching as early as 11 months and this act is perfected over time. How? Through training. They learn and able to adapt in the wild through practice. Same as with education, children are trained because they need to adapt later on in life. So we need to develop young children, not to the quality of life we have now but of the life, they will have in the future. If we keep on training them the way we train some 10 years ago or 15 years ago, they will end up losing because they cannot cope up. We should provide students a training ground that will equip them for the future world. In this way, we can ensure a quality of life that is adaptable to a changing society.
Image source: ue.ed.ph
MITCHEL AFRICA 