(Or for the Whole World for that matter)
1. That every Filipino who wishes to learn could attend one
2. That the curriculum include learning Life Skills as an integral part of education
That every Filipino who wishes to learn could attend one
The problem of lack of resources such as access, schools, teachers, books and budget has been the issue ever since – no budget. Even if our economy improves 10% per year, the problem would still be there.
One solution I can see is e-schooling: Create an e-Learning school that can be accessed fromany terminal via the internet or by plugging a USB drive. The technology is already there. We just have to create the content (to be discussed on another post).
Yes, there will be issues such as access, resources and manpower – not to mention the possible disruptive nature it will bring to paid schooling, the book publishing industry and education in general. These have to be addressed too, and they can be. But from a bigger persepctive, the concept is very viable – the global education trend is going this route.
For matters of discussion, let’s say this system is meant for those who want to learn but can’t because the brick and mortar schools can’t accomodate them, because of money or time constraints. Think of the children and adults who dropped out. Think of the places with no schools. Think of those people who need to earn a living by day and no night school is available for them. Think of those who cannot cope with the current pace of regular schooling. You get the picture.
Let’s say the e-school is built. And these folks “attend” school online or offline via USB. All they need to have is access to a computer. What if they can be “loaned” a netbook or even given access to a barangay computer in the community centers?
We would have a more “schooled” population.
That the curriculum include Life skills
While schools are character builders and motivators, I propose that Life skills, Character Building and Positive Mindset be an integral part of education, formal and informal. (I also propose that these be the first lessons for the e-school.)
Good conduct and good citizenship are incorporated in many lessons and discussions in schools today. They may not be enough. I think that we should put more emphasis on values and virtues in the curriculum compared to what we have now. If the children can imbibe goal setting, positive thinking, going the extra mile, perseverance, integrity, self-esteem and other virtues at an early age, perhaps we would have an more enlightened population. If each child are taught to be lifelong learners, positive thinkers and extra milers – we would probably have a Golden Age in the Philippines.
There. Two things.
It is my opinion that these will be key to turning this nation and the whole world around.
The best way to improve one’s self is to learn at every turn. Each experience is a learning experience.
