TEACHERS nowadays have great difficulty in managing classes, where they only have a few learners, as compared to what we had in the past.
With Freire’s “Pedagogy of the Oppressed,” We could still remember that with proper communication with the parents, we did not have any difficulties in getting learners’ attention toward school attendance. We could still recall how other educators were constantly griping about taking out loans only to cover the debts of their students.; BSP/GSP tickets, Redcross, sports activities, and other concerns that needed to be paid by the learners, but in cases where learners dropped out from the school or could not pay their obligations, teachers need to settle their accounts. This is a result of requests made for signed clearances at the end of the academic year for teachers. But in our case, we have our ways of ensuring that we will not be using our own money to pay these financial obligations. Even during recess time, we were able to get support from the parents and other stakeholders to ensure that learners were getting nutritious, delicious, and clean food for their snacks. It is just through proper communication with the parents and conducting dialogues to respond to concerns, issues, gaps, and problems of the learners at home or in school.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 emphasizes ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and culture’s contribution to sustainable development. (SDG). To achieve these sustainable development goals, there is a need to identify the root cause of the problems that hinder the achievement of the government’s goals, objectives, and mandates. With the support of the key stakeholders in the community, this would be possible in the next years to come.
The Department of Education’s (DepEd’s) vision is to produce Filipinos who love the country, passionately and whose values and skills allow them to realize their full potential and make a meaningful contribution to nation-building. If properly addressed, DepEd’s vision and mission will certainly create Filipino people who are God-loving, attentive to Filipino community needs, environmentally friendly, and patriotic citizens. (https://www.deped.gov.ph/ about-deped/vision-mission-core-values-and-mandate/).
DepEd, in partnership with the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) and Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP), is an institution that has been leading in the provision of training programs that are geared toward the total development of young learners and adults as well. It has been said that scouting is a way of life. Thus, attending GSP programs, projects, and activities enhances learners’ full potential to face life’s challenges.
