Passport Requirements

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.