BY NEIL HONEYMAN
‘THE STATE shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.’
‘… elementary education is compulsory for all children of school age.’
This is enshrined in our Constitution (Article XIV Section 1, and Section 2(2)).
It means that it is incumbent on the Department of Education (DepEd) to provide the schools.
So it is troubling that DepEd suspended the permit to operate for 55 schools in the Davao region for indigenous children allegedly for teaching “left-leaning ideologies.”
Huh?
Left-leaning ideologies?
You mean those unreasonable people who seek affordable health care and other social services?
I believe that DepEd should think long and hard before closing any school.
In this case, it was reported that the schools were closed at the behest of National Security Advisor Hermogenes Esperon Jr., a former military chief of staff.
Should DepEd comply with his request?
Closing schools will further alienate a section of the citizenry who are already highly disadvantaged.
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Since compulsory grade school education is one of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, to which the Philippines is a signatory, it is not unreasonable for the closure of schools to be brought to the UN’s attention.
It is a disappointing aspect of our current governance that the UN is becoming increasingly aware and concerned about what is happening here. This clearly irritates president Duterte who cites Philippines sovereignty, but human rights are global.
It would be helpful if Congress worried less about its internal machinations and gave more attention to some of the serious problems such as school closures.
It would also be helpful if DepEd Secretary, Dr Leonor Briones amplified the full reasons why it is necessary to close schools. Esperon alleges that the schools deviated from the DepEd curriculum and taught students “ideologies that advocate against the government.”
But education is about helping all of us develop our critical faculties. The strictures that Esperon attributes to Lumad schools can be formed elsewhere, both in public and private schools.
That’s democracy.
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Education is perhaps the most significant way in which the poverty trap can be overcome. Recently, Ignacio Bunye, our colleague on these pages, provided a heart-warming example of a student who achieved much, despite living in impoverished circumstances.
Our education system is successful in that it rewards those who show persistence and tenacity in their studies.
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Perhaps some Lumad schools need closer supervision.
But Martial Law decisions will hopefully receive more critical appraisal from Congress if they cause a disadvantaged section of our society to become even more alienated from the rest of us./PN
