Titser Juan

THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSULTATION AND ADVOCATING THE SPIRIT OF CHECK AND BALANCE TO AVOID CHAOS

History has consistently demonstrated that unchecked power, regardless of its scope or intention, inevitably faces limitations and challenges. The ongoing situation in Bangladesh serves as a simple reminder of this reality. The government's actions and decisions, while potentially in good faith, reveal the inherent difficulties of governing without sufficient checks and balances. Similarly, the EDSA Revolution in the Philippines showcased the power of collective action in addressing an autocratic regime. Both instances highlight the critical need for mechanisms that can hold power accountable and ensure that governance remains responsive to the needs of the people.

In the context of educational reform, the importance of implementing checks and balances is equally crucial. The recent DepEd Orders No. 5 and 10, along with the MATATAG curriculum, underscore the necessity of involving educators in the decision-making process. Teachers, who are on the front lines of education, possess invaluable insights into the practical challenges and needs within their respective classrooms. Their feedback is essential in shaping policies and curricula that are both effective and relevant. Without their input, reforms may fall short of addressing the real issues faced by students and educators alike.

Consulting teachers before rolling out significant educational changes ensures that policies are both relevant and practical. Teachers possess first-hand experience with the educational landscape and are best positioned to identify what adjustments are necessary to enhance student learning and engagement. Incorporating their feedback helps to create a more balanced approach, ensuring that reforms address actual students’ needs without putting our teachers at the losing end thereby promoting a more effective and responsive education system. In doing so, we uphold the principles of checks and balances within education, fostering an environment where policies are thoughtfully implemented, genuinely stable (MATATAG) and beneficial for us to achieve the so-called “quality education” which we ought to give for all Filipino schoolchildren.

RAUL P. CONSTANTINO
President
Teachers’ Dignity Coalition-Central Visayas
And Co-convenor of “Ating Guro-TDC” partylist