Wednesday, November 5, 2008

children's hour.

Cpie called. There was an incessant noise in the background. Her two Pocahontas were singing, talking and playing. Gabrielle who´s almost six, is the teacher; her sister Emmanuelle, three, the pupil. I chuckled while I listened to them play. I could hear Gabrielle hitting the table with a stick while calling the attention of the younger sister. LOL

It reminded me so much of our childhood. When our teachers sat in the middle of our universe, and we believed everything that they said, as if they were direct descendants of Mozes.

That's the difference between Dutch and Filipino children, I guess. Here, the children think that the teachers are their equal and the only role the teachers play in their lives, is to assist and guide them. Children are not obliged to listen to their teachers. They are free to say whatever they want to say. There is no such thing as impertinent answers. There are only outspoken children with creative minds and self-esteem. They are therefore trained to be bold and fearless.

Likewise, children are not pushed in one direction. It's all right to fail in math or science. It's not the end of the world. You can always be a mechanic, a miner, a stevedore, or a plumber. It is all right not to go to college. You don't need a college diploma to have a good education.

In the Philippines, it's different. The teachers are revered. The role of the teacher is to mold the minds of the children. The teacher does not only guide. She also teaches them good manners. She is a disciplinarian too. The second mother. She encourages them to excel and push them whenever necessary. For a Filipino teacher, there are no gray areas. There's only black or white.

I don't know which system works better. But this much I know. Sometimes, it only takes an innocent laughter of child to remind us of how beautiful life can be. I was happy to hear that somewhere in the exotic Arab state of Jeddah, my phenomenally naughty nieces are at play.... and are driving their mom crazy! HAHAHAHAHA

14 comments:

cherie said...

kaluoy man si cherry pie. kaya palan dili na saakun nakasurat, hahahaha!!!

Aristarkhos said...

Teachers are revered in my neck of the woods too. I completely understand what you mean...there are positives to both sides, I guess. But I prefer the teacher-pupil relationship here, where the teacher is given the respect they deserve. In the city, good teachers are hard to come by, so students are quite cheeky. :)
Like, where my wife comes from, there teachers are really given a lot of respect. A lot. Even ex-students, I have seen them greet my in-laws, and willingly help out with things.
In the city, we just ignore them. Only a few form a bond of sorts.
I dont know how much of that happens abroad...it seems more like a normal course of life...after that, just move on. You think it also matters how parents tell a kid how to interact with a teacher?

Anna said...

pag makuliton nan masamukon si gianna nan daog ko pa si mrs. jamoralin sa kaka-"anano na ina, gabriella" titawahan lang ako ni mommy. sweet revenge daw, ha ha ha.

Droomvla said...

Aristarkhos: In the Philippines like I said, teachers are revered especially those who truly made a difference. Their labor and hardwork don't go unnoticed. No matter what we have attained or how highly educated we become, we always go back to them for their wisdom.

As we grow older and more matured, they become the elders of the tribe. Revered members of our community. Their word and wisdom, we value and respect.

Droomvla said...

Cherie: manga matiawon talaga an batit niya. Lalo na an ikaduwa, pan-o kay ihada ko! HAHAHAHAHA

Droomvla said...

Menchie: HAHAHAHAHA All the while paghuna ko, well-behaved ka kay an mga kakanam mo san kinder nan grade 1 pa kita, an mga good girls na dili ngani nakabuak sin paso! HAHAHAHA

Aristarkhos said...

Agreed.
The comments between your friends and you are a real mystery to me...especially with all Lol's that are shared all the time. hehe

maricel said...

Hmmmm,,i remember our childhood days!! haha At ease childres!! At ease!!! I have some TAM-ERSS for you!! haha

Droomvla said...

Aristarkhos: well, you can always try to learn it. HAHAHAHAHA How many languages to speak anyway? Just curious... hehehe

Droomvla said...

Yeah, at ease children! Very militaristic an orientation. HAHAHAHA

cherie said...

hello, aristarkhos. be warned, though if and when you decide to learn out language. haha!

marissa: hahahaha!!! kaya palan! :)

Droomvla said...

correctio LOL.... how many languages do you speak?

Anna said...

Ha ha ha. An pirmi ko sadto kakanam si carmelo, an pinsan ko. tinuwal mi sadto an cabinet san figurines ni mommy. kaya literally, makabasag figurine kami ha ha ha

Droomvla said...

Kumusta ka kay si Carmelo baga an escort ko san kinder kita. HAHAHAHAHA

Ay sus, naloko mo talaga ako. Huna ko, prim and proper ka to the max. HAHAHAHHAA