When I was college dean at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina, I distinctly remember a meeting with my faculty one afternoon. Our goal was to enhance our teaching skills so we discussed various instructional methods. One professor introduced a concept that emphasized how the diversity of students plays a crucial role in determining the most effective teaching approach. He explained that the “right” instructional method depends on several factors, particularly the characteristics of the students in class.
In a disciplined environment, a democratic teaching style is ideal, while an autocratic or dictatorial approach may be more suitable for an undisciplined class. This discussion led me to ponder the correlation between teaching and learning styles, and the political landscape of our society, specifically the relationship between leaders and their constituents. It is undeniable that our country is plagued by serious social issues such as violent crimes, substance abuse, and corruption, which are indicative of the behavior of some unmotivated and undisciplined individuals. In response, our leaders should focus on fostering self-motivation and self-discipline among the populace rather than resorting to fear and threats to enforce compliance.
I propose that one of the key initiatives for the national leadership is leveraging government authority to instill a culture of discipline rooted in our Filipino values. Conversely, utilizing the coercive power of the government, subject to certain limitations set by laws, to control the most brutal criminals is essential, in my view, to foster a culture of safety and security.
Jesus embraced the unloved and the unlovely as part of a divine and compassionate plan. I am receptive to leaders with authoritarian tendencies, as long as they employ this leadership style to uplift rather than oppress people. It may even be beneficial to have a national leader who exhibits dictatorial traits in a society where some individuals lack motivation and discipline. This can be seen as our destiny, and perhaps a component of a larger, benevolent divine plan.
Reginald B. Tamayo,
reginaldtamayo@yahoo.com