By REV. LUNA L. DINGAYAN

“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” — Proverbs 22:6

We are now in the season of graduation and commencement exercises. It is then but proper and fitting to have some reflections on education, especially of school children. I have three things to share on this matter.

Importance of children’s education

First of all, I would say that a proper education of school children is necessary in building up a strong, peaceful and progressive nation. Let us be reminded that the world we build today is the world we shall live in tomorrow. Therefore, let us be careful with the kind of materials we put into its structure.

Perhaps, some of us still remember the infamous Ruby Towers in Manila. It was built so high, and it was most impressive in the outside. But then at the first strong earthquake that shook the City of Manila, Ruby Towers crumbled, like a house of cards – killing hundreds of its inhabitants. Now, if we wish that our lives, our nation, and our world would endure the shock of earthquakes, the fury of floods, and the ravage of time, let us put only quality materials into them.

The great sages of old had recognized the importance of children in building up a strong, peaceful and progressive nation. They gave us an old Proverb which says, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Prov.22:6). Thus, if we want to have a strong, peaceful and progressive nation in the future, let us begin building that nation with our school children.

It is quite unfortunate that our government is spending large amount of money to maintain peace and order and reduce crime rates in our country. But it seems to me that it is not getting at the heart of the problem. I think the best way to reduce crime rates in our country is to stop rearing children to become criminals someday. The best way to reduce crime rates is to invest the resources of our nation in the proper education of children to become responsible citizens of our land.

Role of the Family

Moreover, I would say in the second place, that we should not forget also the important role of the family, especially the parents, in the total development of school children.

Children spend only a few hours in the school in comparison with the amount of time they are with their parents or loved ones. Thus, significant aspects of the children’s lives are developed within the family. As a matter of fact, the Proverbs that we mentioned earlier was meant for the family, for the parents especially.

I think this is one of the reasons we have parent-teachers associations in every school, so that there would be a venue for constant dialog between the parents and the teachers in order to be more effective not only in raising funds for the school, but more importantly in educating the school children. It is in the family where the children should experience the moral values of honesty, love and concern for others. It would be unfortunate if children never experience these things in their own families.

This reminds me of a research conducted some few years back comparing the Filipino family before and after the Second World War. It was found out that before the war, the Filipino family was considered to be a character-building unit of our society. It was in the family that the fundamental values of honesty, love and concern for others were taught and experienced.

But then, after the war, the thrust and direction of the Filipino family had greatly changed. Instead of being a character-building unit of society, its main concern was to buy a new TV, new appliances, new car, and other material things. Is it surprising then that we have so much graft and corruption in our country today? Interestingly, most of our politicians today are born after the war.

Many parents give themselves wholeheartedly to the demanding disciplines of the business, industrial or professional world in order to achieve a place of recognition, and perhaps even a monument. Filipino parents today have no qualms of leaving their small children behind to earn more dollars in distant lands. But I would say that markings on material things will disappear with the passing of time, but impressions made in the heart and mind of a son or daughter will remain even when time is no more. What parents leave in their children is far more important than what they leave to them.

Good examples

And finally I would say that we could contribute significantly for the cause of school children’s education, not only in terms of money, but more importantly by being good examples for the little children to emulate.

It is a big question mark nowadays as to who is really responsible for the moral development of our children. We may say, it is the government’s concern. But then, if we look at the so many corruption scandals in the government that made us one among the most corrupt nations in Asia, we do have serious doubts in our minds whether or not we could expect the government to be responsible for the moral development of our children.

Then, perhaps we may say, it is the job of the school. But then, if we would remember the book scandals, the cheating in board exams, and other anomalies, then we could not help but raise questions on the position of the school as a moral teacher.

Then, we may say, it is the task of the family. But then, how about those children whose mothers spend more time in Mahjong than with their children; or children whose fathers regard their fighting cocks as more important than their children, what do we expect in terms of the moral development of their children?

Then, we may say, perhaps the church could do it. But then if we would examine closely what’s happening within and among churches, the quarrels, divisions, misunderstandings and animosities that prevail, which shows that being in the church is not a guarantee that we are morally upright, still we question whether or not the church could really provide enough moral development for our children.

But nevertheless, in spite of all the limitations of various sectors of our society, all of us are still responsible for the moral development of our children. I say this, not because I am a pastor, but because this is necessary if we want that our Christian civilization will endure.

Let us be reminded that most of the ancient civilizations, like the Roman Empire, crumbled not so much because of the strength of their enemies, but because of internal moral decay. When a child is born into this world, he is not born alone. He is born into a society, into a family where he learns a lot as he grows into maturity. What a pity if due to our moral laxity we have imparted to our children the kind of morality that would lead to their future downfall and destruction.

Therefore, let us resolve to have moral regeneration in our own lives if only for the sake of our little children who are closely watching us every step of the way. Graduation and commencement exercises will soon be over, but the development of our children will continue. And I do believe that the best tribute we could offer to them is to be good examples for them to emulate. #