A woman holds her tears as much as she
can as she sips the steaming hot, perhaps bitter-tasting coffee--as bitter as
her feelings. She was angry more than regretful. But her anger is all the more
aggravated by the fact that she can't blame anyone, other than herself.
It was a quiet Wednesday morning. I was
reading the newspaper and eating breakfast in a fasfood chain, while waiting
for Papa to finish his passport renewal. Suddenly, the stillness of the place
was disturbed by a woman (most probably in her early 20s) as she sobs about her
"epic fail" attempt to apply for her passport.
The reason? She lacks one requirement
(NBI clearance from what I have heard--yeah eaveadropping is my hobby)
As I watch her being comforted by her
companion, I cannot help but reflect and think about my students and about that
documentary shown in "Bawal ang Pasaway".
According to the research of the People
Management Association of the Philippines (2012) , fresh graduates and other
applicants fail to land on a job because of basic (but seemingly perennial)
problems. "The study showed that 40 percent of fresh graduates do not
immediately get hired because of the deficiencies in these soft competencies
(i.e. critical thinking, initiative, and effective communication skills) ,”
PMAP director for academe-industry linkages Gigi Alcasid.
Everyday of my teaching life, I would
reiterate to my students problems 1&2 stated above. But it seems that they
are either dazed or in limbo because no matter how much I remind them, no
matter how much I bombard them with activities that aim to hone their
communication and thinking skills, there are still some who fail to cope.
At times, I would begin to doubt my
teaching skills.
At times I would be irked, but at
times, I would also feel pity. I can't help but think about their possible
"crying scenes" after job interviews or passport applications (much
like that crying lady) just because of trivialities that could have been
avoided only if they have utilized their common sense.
As I reflect, more than those paper
documents that the Department of Foreign Affairs require for passport
applications, the most important requirement is common and (supposedly) readily
available to all normal human beings: communication & thinking.
Sadly, Voltaire seems right when he
said, "Common sense is not common."
After the graduation ceremonies and
parties, students must begin to realize and understand that they are not
students anymore; that they are not supposed to be supported by their parents
anymore; that they are supposed to work and put whatever they have learned to
practice.
Diplomas and Transcripts are only paper
documents that employers would require. Graduates must realize that above all
these, skills and competencies are paramount.
***
I just hope and pray that when I see my
students cry, it would be tears of joy rather than wails of fails.
The ultimate dream of parents is to see
their child become successful in life. The ultimate dream of teachers is to see
their students learn.
