A development in the education sector that deserves following is the proposal to limit the medium of instruction to English and Filipino from Kindergarten to Grade 3 and no longer the mother tongue as implemented since the early part of the last decade.
Reports last week said that Education Undersecretary Epimaco Densing has suggested to Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte the use of the two languages, apparently more to strengthen the educational system.
The Philippines recently placed at the tailend of a survey of school performance in reading comprehension, science and technology and mathematics.
Teacher-friends who handled lower grade level classes partly agree with the idea for certain subjects but reiterated that the local language should be retained in MTB, or the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education subject.
The teaching of the mother language has been initiated by UNESCO since the turn of the century as it believes on the value of cultural and linguistic diversity for societies to grow.
It works to keep the differences in culture and languages which preserve and transmit traditional knowledge and way of life sustainably.
To underscore this culture-and-language preservation mandate UNESCO spearheads the International Mother Language Day, which is observed every Feb. 21.
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Writing on the diversity of cultures and languages, I remember how these concerns were transcended during, among others, the International Service-Learning community engagement to help rehabilitate portions of Negros and Panay ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in November 2014.
The ISL engagement drew more than 200 students and faculty members from about 30 universities in Asia.
Together, we helped rebuild communities in Sagay City, Concepcion and Estancia in Iloilo and in Roxas City.
Bound by the common spirit of service and volunteerism we overcame the barriers of language and culture for a common purpose.
Later, in a Taiwan conference presentation of the research paper on the ISL which I co-wrote with my then student, Karla Panganiban, I was asked how participant managed to understand each other well, considering the diversity of languages and cultures represented.
The answer came easy. While English is a continental medium, many Asian students have limited facility of the language.
In addition to body language, the genuine sense of service and the strong bonds of friendship broke down whatever cultural, geographical and other barriers that existed, thereby, ensuring the realization of the ISL goals.
Thinking of Taiwan, by the way… my friends there have expressed concern that tension will not escalate following fire drill action by China in response to the Taipei visit of a top U.S. official and that a peaceful outcome can be realized.
Such international friendship connection also reminded me of another significant global event, the International Day of Friendship, which was marked on Saturday, July 30.
The event has been anchored on the UN conviction that friendship between and among peoples, countries, cultures and individuals “inspires peace efforts and build bridges” among communities.
Friendship day this year was anchored on the theme, “Sharing the Human Spirit through Friendship”.
The day spearheads and supports efforts of the global community toward the promotion and strengthening of a shared spirit of solidarity, which is founded on the idea of friendship.
“By accumulating bonds of camaraderie and developing strong ties of trust, we can contribute to the fundamental shifts that are urgently needed to achieve lasting stability, we are a safety net that will protect us all and generate passion for a better world, where all are united for the greater good,” UNESCO further said.
The UN resolution, which established the observance, also emphasized the need for the involvement of young people in the promotion of understanding and respect for diversity.
On the occasion of International Day of Friendship last Saturday, July 30, I reminisce with fondness the camaraderie I had with the ISL participants from Indonesia, Myanmar, Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, China, Macau, Malaysia, India as well as those from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
My thoughts, of friendship also go well for friends I have met from all over the world.
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One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24) – NWI
