CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan – For 45 minutes, Senator Joel Villanueva played teacher and taught social studies lesson to Grade 4 students at the City of Malolos Integrated School in Bgy Atlag here Friday morning.
Villaueva was the special guest mentor of the Teach for the Philippines , a group that aims to provide Filipino children with access to relevant and excellent quality education.
Villanueva discussed topics such as “Ang Mga Namumuno sa Bansa” where he vividly taught the Grade 4 pupils the different role of leaders in the country.
“Our children are not only the hope of our country, they are the future of the Philippines and it is a great privilege to teach the future leaders of our Republic,” Villanueva said.
He said that education is now given top priority by the government.
“The emergence of artificial intelligence and robots could spell doom in the future if we will not cultivate quality teachings to our children. Papalitan tayo ng mga robot. We must also not let our human resources be downgraded .Look at our professionals—doctors working as nurses, nurses working as care givers. This should not be so,” the senator from Bulacan province said.
“Kung saan natin gusting dalin ang bansa natin, lalao nating paigihin ang sistema ng edukasyon sa ating bansa. Education is the most important aspect of governance,” he added.
He thanked organizers of the teach-in program saying “Teach for the Philippines, leave your mark.”
Villanueva said he decided to join Teach for the Philippines Week not only to have an actual teaching experience but also tom show his respect and support to all Filipinoteachers who stand up for the children.
“Teaching maybe a thankless job, but its impact is both immediate and far-reaching. I believe that the greatest and noblest act of self-sacrifice that anyone can take on is becoming a teacher,” he said.
He said that education is the hope of the nation that could lead the nation to progress.
Angel Ramos, PR and Communication Manager, said that Teach for the Philippines enlist some of the country’s most promising young leaders to teach for two years in public schools throughout the Philippinews.
She said that to date, there are 95 “Teacher Fellows” in 39 schools across 17 local governments across Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, who, together with their school communities are working towards the goal of education equity.
The organization has run the program for the past four years and among the guests teachers included Senators Bam Aquino and Sonny Angara, National Book Develo0pment Board Chairperson Neri Sta. Romana-Cruz, Miss Universe 2014 4th runner-up Venus Raj and TV talk show host Boy Abunda. —EMIL G. GAMOS