New Year's Resolutions

Poverty has a strong grip on education. It is difficult to solve a society's poverty problem. Thus, challenges in basic education are indeed quite formidable, but we can take steps to reduce the ill effects of poverty on schools. Those steps start with our best ally in education, the teacher. Talking about learning styles, curriculum, and other factors will not get us anywhere. So here I offer resolutions for this year.

We need to uplift the teaching profession in the Philippines. Teachers need salaries that will enable them to focus on their job. Teachers need not spend time on other odd jobs just to make ends meet. Teachers need to be empowered. Teachers are on the front line and are therefore best equipped to adjust to the needs of each student. The teacher-pupil relationship is personal and this can only develop in small class sizes.

May this new year witness the right steps toward improving Philippines basic education.