Education for a transformative future
The youth, armed with education, possesses the power to shape a transformative future. Nelson Mandela’s words echo the truth: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Through education, young minds transcend norms and barriers, illuminating the path toward a brighter tomorrow.
This is what I came to realize during the Second Congressional Commission on Education’s (EdCom II) visit to my school, the Sisters of Mary School-Girlstown, Inc. in Talisay, Cebu. I am grateful to be a student here, where I receive topnotch education and motivation for a promising future. In addition to academics, the school offers vocational training, spiritual guidance, and a supportive environment, empowering disadvantaged girls and youth like me. We learn beyond the classroom—in workshops and computer laboratories that teach us not just concepts and ideas, but also technical skills to give us the capacity to survive and flourish in life.
As a freshman, I initially encountered misunderstandings stemming from the diverse backgrounds of my classmates. And yet, amidst these difficulties, I discovered solace in the transformative power of education. This institution has expanded my horizons far beyond textbooks and exams. The Sisters of Mary School also established boarding schools for deserving students from disadvantaged families. Girlstown provides food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and quality secondary education with a focus on the technical-vocational curriculum, all for free.
What makes Girlstown different is the fact that the secondary curriculum has a one-year allocation for its Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs, which undergo diligent evaluations to ensure quality and competence for the girls under the school’s care. Best practices in our school prompted EdCom II to visit us on Aug. 4. We had eagerly anticipated the event, which was both thrilling and anxiety-inducing: We all knew that EdCom II plays a crucial role in assessing and improving the country’s education sector.
As a campus journalism club member, I had the privilege of witnessing the inspiring consultation event. The delegates were genuinely impressed by our skills in TVET programs, and we were pleased to show them around our facilities. Their considerate questions and suggestions during the open forum touched my heart and reinforced the fact that there are individuals who genuinely care about educating young people.
We, at Girlstown, are fortunate to be given opportunities for growth that will equip us with skills for the real world. For instance: We are trained in accounting and analytical skills in bookkeeping courses. On top of dressmaking, there are also programs that give us opportunities to grow in science and technology fields, like programs in computer systems servicing, electronics assembly, and technical drafting—courses not traditionally made accessible to girls and women.
After EdCom II’s visit, I felt relieved and optimistic, hoping for increased public support for TVET programs. In today’s world, knowledge—and more importantly, skills—are indispensable for development and survival. What we learn within the classroom is as important as what we learn in the dressmaking workshop or in the computer lab. I am living proof of the impact of education on underprivileged Filipino youth, which the government is in the position to provide. It is our duty to respond to the needs of those around us and not take for granted the opportunities given us. I will do my part: While the government backs our school’s mission, I am committed to fulfilling my role as a diligent student. I know and recognize that it is my duty to study hard and persevere with double the effort, given the cards that we have been dealt. It is rare to find individuals who genuinely care for the needs of others.
The initiative shown by EdCom II touched me deeply, and I believe it has the potential to make even greater contributions not just to our school, but to the entire country. Every child has dreams, and I hope that EdCom II will help turn those dreams into reality.
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Armee S. Atong is a Grade 12 student at the Sisters of Mary School-Girlstown, Inc., one of the campuses of the Sisters of Mary Schools in Talisay City, Cebu. She is editor in chief of the school paper. Girlstown was one of the stops of EdCom II’s nationwide consultation in its mission to assess and review the country’s education system.
