Education’s role in promoting farming underscored
A party-list solon appealed to teachers and educators to play important role in shaping the mindset of the youth.
According to AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee, educators can help young people achieve a better future by starting with shaping the principles and mindset.
In the recent Regional Research and Development Coordinating Council meeting of Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (BCAARRD), Lee shared his insights on the perennial problems of the agriculture sector and the country before Presidents of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), teachers, researchers and representatives from non-government organizations, and national government agencies.
“Sa akin pong pag-iikot, ako po ay nakakaramdam ng matinding lungkot—lungkot dahil sa mga nakikita nating paghihirap ng marami nating kababayan. Ang ating mga magsasaka, pinapaaral ang mga anak sa Maynila, na ang kabilin-bilinan ay mag-aral nang mabuti at huwag nang bumalik sa pinanggalingan para huwag nang maging katulad nilang magsasaka lamang,” Lee said.
“Masisisi ba natin sila, kung wala naman silang kinikita? Kung hindi pa nga sumisikat ang araw hanggang sa tirik na ang araw ay nasa sakahan sila, at pagkatapos ng lahat ng hirap, hindi pa nga anihan ay baon na sila sa utang,” he added.
According to Lee, there is no one to blame in this dire situation but ourselves, because as Filipinos, we tend to be tolerant, forgiving and are already thankful for meager service from the government.
“Masaya na tayo at sobra-sobra ang ating pasasalamat kung tayo ay nabibigyan ng konting ayuda. Kulang na lang sambahin natin ang nagbigay sa atin. Hindi ba natin naiisip na ‘yan ay pera natin, ‘yan ay pera ng taumbayan?” Lee pointed out.
Lee then posed a challenge to SUC Presidents, teachers, and the academe as a whole in fulfilling their role since education is key in empowering the youth to be responsible and compassionate citizens.
“Lahat po ng ito ay nagsisimula sa atin pong mga paaralan, sa ating mga kabataan. Ang sabi po ni Gat Jose Rizal, ‘ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan’. Ang sa akin naman, ‘ang pag-asa ng bayan ay nasa mga guro.’ The future is the youth, but this future is shaped by our teachers,” the solon from Sorsogon said.
“As educators, it is upon you to make meaningful change happen. You have to produce graduates who not only have the brains to build a better world but also the hearts to give back to the poor. The future we want to create is not just a more intelligent, advanced world but, more importantly, a more caring, sharing community,” he added.
The lawmaker further reiterated that SUC graduates are expected to serve the people, especially the poor, and to ease their plight and improve their lives because every peso spent for their education is a peso deprived from the service for the poor.
