Respect: Source of Significant Changes

In my journey, there is one thing that really bothers my existence. It is one thing that somehow I know but I cannot fathom its true essence. In different ways, circumstances, time and spaces, it has a distinct way to define & be known. It is respect. What is it all about? Where does it come from? What is the basis of man to know and define it?

In the status quo, somehow perceptions of the people change on how to gain respect from others.  With the existing state-of-the-art inventions, modernization, new technologies of communications, sciences, personally, I would say that part of these changes is the change of views on good values of respect.

I have been my subject of discussion this respect because of my experience on the Respect Education Program. How does it start?

On these places, Ala Central School & Kangkong Elementary School, my prolific journey started. In the simple life of the people living there, issues on quality education, lacking of school facilities, low performance of the pupils on the traditional way of teaching and learning, issues on capacity of the learners to think and learn and the unending problems on poverty that instead of going to school, they prefer to work and help the family to source out for food to serve on their table.

In a span of year, the call to address some issues of pupils and teachers on education of Ala Central School and Kangkong Elementary School has been responded. This is through Respect Education Program in collaboration with Pasali Philippines Inc., Cordaid – Netherlands, Day of Respect Foundation and MINCONSP. This aimed to create a safe environment for school children and help them understand the meaning of respect and the contribution they can make to their environment.

In addition, it provides opportunities to secure their rights as children and as active member of their community. This includes methodologies to make their learning easy and fun as learners.

For more than 9 months, I have known Peter Long. Simple. Happy. Naughty. Playful. A Child. I think, he is the one who could represent other young pupils I have come across in a short period of time but full of sincerity and genuine heart. As he awakes in the morning, he will prepare for school. Enter in the class bringing the smile and happiness of contentment as a child. During noon time, he will go back home to eat his lunch.

Knowing Peter Long has the dark past as well. Ill-tempered. Unruly. Always in conflict. Frequently called in the principal’s office in some issues of misbehaviours inside and outside of the class. But these treats were forgotten when he was able to appreciate his worth, his own self, his involvement in his environment because of his elder brothers and sisters in Respect Program. Even the teachers have given him the opportunities to be of help in maintaining cooperation and good relationship inside the classroom.

According to him, “tinuruan ako ng Respect Education na maniwala sa aking kakayahan, na kaya akong madesisyon ng tama kahit marami akong ginawang kasalanan at iyun ay pinasasalamatan ko lng lubos” (Respect Education taught me to believe that I have capacities, that I can decide rightly though I have done wrong before and I am sincerely thankful for that).

Peter Long is a symbol of change – change that the value of respect is in need to live with purity and trueness in it.

Consequently, the program wends on its goal. Each pupil has given opportunities to share their ideas and opinion. Bullying and discrimination were minimized. Many pupils become values oriented specifically on respecting ones belief, norms and culture. It provides effective methodologies for teachers for a fun learning of pupils. It strengthens teacher-pupil relations. Contribute to the enhancement of good character of the pupils. Pupils become more responsible. Contribute to the development of skills and talents of the pupils. They are getting closer. Teachers integrated the program to other subject matter. According to Ma’am Pamela Pardilla, teacher-adviser of Respect class in Ala Central School, “with REP in our class, it helps in strengthening our mutual relationships and thus provides a more friendly, fun and conducive learning environment for both teachers and pupils. I am personally very fortunate to be involved in such significant program that even myself could testify how it changed my perspective on creative methodologies of teaching. Thank you respect education and KFI for the opportunity to grow and develop, to innovate and be creative, to understand more our pupils and in helping us upgrading our system”, she added.

In concluding the program on its first phases, this will call for a challenge in increasing the quality of education not only as a methodology of teaching and learning but also an opportune time bring back and give into account the value of respect as primary element this new generation shaping of children who will lead the people and the world tomorrow. This is an important aspect of being human. The person having gained respect has virtuous human relation, wise, true.