The horrible violence that had recently taken place in one of the private schools in Zamboanga City which left two people dead was indescribable and traumatizing to many learners, teachers, and the entire nation. A place where learners are expected to maximize their potential, feel loved, and remain safe, instead became a setting where violence poses an undeniable threat to human lives.
Many people, most especially the parents, never imagined that violence of this kind would happen in a place where they would leave their children to grow and develop. But we know it happened and this poses a question to school authorities and even the government, are our sons and daughters still safe inside learning institutions in the country?
What the government is doing. In the past months especially in the wake of the Tacloban school shooting, the government, through the Department Education, has implemented policies and measures that strengthened the safety and security inside and outside school premises. As a public school teacher, I have been witness to this strict checking of bags by the school gates. The process may be tedious but if this must be done to ensure that no similar incident may happen again that will threaten the safety of the learners, we are willing to do our fair share of supporting these initiatives.
In addition, in our school, the administration doubled down on directing the guidance advocates in ensuring that learners are heard and their concerns are attended to, no matter how big or small. For example, incidents such as bullying and other imminent threats are readily addressed even at the first hint of any form of aggression on the part of potential perpetrators.
It is also important to note the vital role the class advisers and subject teachers play in conducting kamustahan or well-being check-ins with their learners during and after emergencies and disasters.
Through its “Hinga” or check-in phase, the policy places greater emphasis on the well-being of learners and their psychological needs when stress are high or recovery is still ongoing. As a class, discussion on pressing matters such as personal and societal problems are being talked about and the teacher is the one who helps process these concerns.
In certain related cases, every teacher allots time whenever they see learners who are seemingly troubled or problematic in class. And, in the event that these things happen, the concerned school personnel immediately coordinate with the school guidance advocates, who in turn, communicate with the parents of the concerned learner to be able to help them deal with their problems in the most effective and efficient ways.
What is missing. Now the question that we have to answer is, what are we missing as educators and where did we go wrong for some learners to have this mindset and go on a shooting rampage and other acts of violence? First, I think increase in active participation of the parents in character and values formation is what we need now to be able to keep learners from committing these acts of violence.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not shifting the blame to the parents and legal guardians here, but it is true and without doubt that a person’s core values are first taught at home. There is no question on the teachers’ duties and responsibilities, and roles as second parents as stipulated in loco parentis rule and our mandate to help develop academically competent, socially responsible learners who are aware of ethics and proper decorum.
However, much of the values and behavior of learners must be cultivated at home with parents’ direction and supervision. Talking to them and letting them evaluate whether an action is right or wrong can be of great importance and may have a significant impact on the decision-making skills of the students as they face difficult and challenging situations. This will help them avoid making decisions which may lead to poor choices.
Next, I think strategic partnerships with universities and organizations to offer awareness and training on how to teach and guide children who belong to the Gen Z and Gen Alpha age groups is highly relevant now. There are a number of organizations supervised by accredited universities and colleges that offer free counseling services and the practitioners they have there are highly qualified and are very much willing to extend their services to individuals and communities who are in need of help.
Quality education can equip our youth with values, resilience, and judgment needed to face complex challenges in their lives. Let the school and our homes be the first safe places our young people turn to, rather than leave them to seek comfort and understanding from things that may only lead them further astray.
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Reynald Alfred Auzana Recede is master teacher II at Marikina High School.
