By: Maria Reylan M. Garica
Jose Rizal believed that through education the country receives light.His advocacy on literacy will permanently be printed together with the genius rhymes of his poems and deep-cutting attacks of his essays.Throughout our history, Rizal foretold about the glory that was inherent in schoolbags and chalkboards. We came to know Filipino scientists who wowed the world of new breakthroughs, Filipino health practitioners who serve as foundations to health care agencies of other nations, and Filipino diplomats who showed versatility and globalc ompetitiveness. These, they were because of the undying belief of that man embossed in the silver one peso coin. For many years, many had inculcated that education equals success, that a diploma istant amount to a loaded bank account. For many years, many had believed education can solve poverty.
But, look around, does it really?
We all know the typical story.
A poverty-stricken family residing in afoul and polluted slum, sleeping in a mosquito infested room whose ceilings drip when it rains, decides to stop living the poor life. The mother and father were just elementary graduates, mother washes clothes for a living, and father has no stable job. Yet, they convened to work harder. One night, while their fourth year high school daughter was scribbling her trigonometry assignment, they approached her and brainwashed—advised her to take up some course that will lead her to an immigrant visa and foreign currencies. Daughter agrees and the rest of her younger siblings stopped school, yet she promised that when she would finally end up abroad she’ll be financing her siblings’ education. Family becomes apprehensive and excited for future balikbayan boxes and imported chocolates. Daughter studied hard denying even romantic suitors, finished college then took up and passed the board exam, yet eventually ended up in the bulk of the unemployed.The daughter received education, the family believed in education and yet there they remain all itchy and sweaty from mosquito bites and dripping ceilings.
As I see it, education alone can’t shed the maximum amount of light to the country as it can’t even just to a simple family. Rizal might have said and died for the belief, because in histime there were more demand and opportunities than supply and risk-takers. Today, our country can’t provide ample job opportunities and some nations are projecting to close doors for human services imports in the near future.
We have a lot of job applicants with less hirable positions. This is certainly the survival of the fittest,those who are willing to exhaust all means just to attain that valued stamp on their passports or simply impress extensively the employer will garner greater chances of getting hired or earning more.I still believe that education is by far an essential towards success and one’s very ability to thrive. Yet, I am now certain that it isn’t only education that will pull you through.
There are a lot of cum laudes jobless, there are a lot of doctoral degree holders underemployed, there are a lot of educated people who haven’t received light, the light that could feed their hungry families and cover up the holes in their dripping ceilings. Since I am not yet in the battlefield I don’t exactly know what it takes to rise above and reach for the coveted employment. But I do know that determination and willingness to move on despite misfortunes and u-turns will soon reward you of better pastures.
The primary reason for some underemployed and unemployed graduates is once they had a few downturns during their job-seeking course; they’ll just give up and settle for mediocrity.We are too ascertained that education can take us heights. Well, yes it indeed can but together with the spirit, a dash of luck and faith.I am quite frightened that one day when I graduate I’ll end up like some who can’t explore their limits and further their enkindled education through actual practice.
I am quite frightened that I may end up frustrated, that after all those four and more years of sleepless nights and financial investment I’ll end up spending the rest of my productive life paying off the capital, hopelessly in search of profits.I simply mean, we need more jobs, jobs that fit our education.Filipino education, behind those poor facilities and termite-infested classrooms, can still be considered as quality. When we graduate we’re ready for the outside world, but today the outside world seems not ready for us.Rizal is right when he said; through education the country receives light.
But such light today is just flickering we need more to set it beaming and flourishing.
To all the graduates, I wish you the best of luck for your futurecareers. Strive hard to employ. When in doubt, pray and when about togive up just think about your siblings who stopped schooling for youto finish your own and most especially your dripping ceiling backhome.
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I would like to commend my little brother, Ramon Ariel Ken M. Garcia for graduating as the Valedictorian of the Elementary graduating classof Colegio de las Hijas de Jesus. May he spare himself of beingunemployed one day.
Happy Graduation Batch 2009!
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