Today’s children have different exposures than previous generations. Hence, their behaviour and way of thinking are different. This is the observation of DepEd Undersecretary Lino Rivera that he shared to school principals in January during Synergeia Foundation’s workshop. “We must focus our attention on our learners. We can’t assume that they are the same as when we were learners. He said the change is not necessarily bad. It just means that educators need to adjust to a new kind of client. “Listen to them without judgement. Know their world.”
Some teachers are really good and make learning fun, the official noted. But there are those that even if you sit in their classroom, “parang sa Ibong Adarna, kailangang maghiwa para manatiling gising. Maybe there are ways to make learning more interesting, more attuned to kids.”
Usec Lino asked the school heads if they still have the passion for their work and if the teachers under them are still motivated to teach. “Has this just become a work for you or is the passion when we started still there?” He said principals must create a system where teachers are motivated to teach.
Gawan ng Paraan
He assures that loss of passion is a natural occurrence. The question that needs to be asked next is if the commitment is still there. “If so, puede natin gawan ng paraan.”
“I will find a way. Napakalalim na kataga. Out of sense of duty or function lang ba galing?” Usec Lino asked. He elaborated on the meaning by citing as an example the situation when one expresses love for someone. “Dahil mahal kita, gagawan ko ng paraan. Sana tayong mga principals, dahil mahal natin ang mga estudyante at teachers, gagawan natin ng paraan.”
He said that God in his wisdom put principals were they are. “Ikaw ang pinili dyan so gawan ng paraan dahil tayo ang tinalaga.”