Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

It was last Friday when I learned that a college friend, Kuya Enteng who was one year my senior, had passed away. I don't know but his passing made me feel not only sad, but also scared.

He was my room mate's best friend, that made him my friend too. He was not my best friend, but he was a friend... After college, let us just say, we both live our separate lives. We got to bump into each other usually in the mall, and the constant exchange of "hi's" and "hellos" were unending. Sometimes, on a rare occasion, if I didn't notice him, he would get my attention by saying "Apen". We were just like that- but I know he was my friend. Maybe, given a chance that I get to have more encounters with him just like when we were in college, probably, our friendship was not limited to hi's and hellos. If only....

During his necrological services (August 11), all his friends were in tears while remembering moments spent with him, telling everyone how good he was as a friend and how great he was as a person and a teacher. His bosses were there too and were all mourning for this good man. Each of them has a story to tell. But what really struck me the most were the words of one his bosses. She said: "Bakit kasi ang necro ginagawa lang pag patay na tao? Hindi ba pwedeng habang buhay pa ay bigyan na ng necro para marinig nung tao ung mga sasabihin tungkol sa kanya?"--

She was right. Kuya Enteng may not know it but he had touched the lives of so many around him. His wife, when it was her time to speak, was so grateful for the so many people who attended the wake of her husband from all walks of life. He was just simply- a father in the house, a quiet man- the exact opposite of the kind of person he was in school. It was only at this moment when she learned that all his hard works were for them which made her cry more.

A great man indeed. He could have been greater, if only he were given a chance to live longer. Such a loss in the academe.

What happened to him is a reminder to all to never be complacent in life. He was 38 and at the peak of his career, and yet, his death came unexpectedly. Scary but this is something that everyone has to face-- in due time.

No Read, No Move: Fact or Myth?

Every day, I encounter high school students who can barely read. Every time I ask them to get their books during their reading time, and make them read a 2 to 3- page story, I don’t see any enthusiasm at all. Their looks tell me that I am punishing them for making them read a story, written in English.  As I observe them while they read, some would just browse the pages of their books, other would pretend to   be reading (actually they are just staring at the page where they are at) and then, few would secretly chat with their seatmates to kill the time. There are others though who would try their best to please me; so they would read- yes but loudly.

Minutes after, my discussion would commence. First, I ask them simple questions like who the author is, or where did the story happen. These questions are the most popular among these kids; however as I began to go into details, and ask them how did the story start- this is where the problem begins.

It is so frustrating. High school teachers are supposed to give higher level of education to the students. As they say, high school prepares kids for college. But how could that be possible, if at this point the students are still being taught how to read. When I say read- some are just basic readers (like that of grade 1) while the others are NO-COMPREHENSION readers. One might even wonder that this is impossible. But this is reality.

With that scenario on hand, it has resulted in spoon feeding kind of discussion. The difficult words are provided (higher sections will get the meaning on their own; lower sections are provided with the meaning), background of the author is given while the story has been reworded the simplest way possible. Worst, the summary of details are even translated in tagalog in the lower sections!

I wonder- how is the “No Read No Move Policy” being implemented in the elementary schools? Are the ones administering this consistent? Is this policy limited to the oral reading skills of the students? Are the students not asked questions based on what they read to test their comprehension?

Just asking…