As men among men
Media
Part of The Philippine Educator
- Title
- As men among men
- Language
- English
- Year
- 1947
- Rights
-
- Fulltext
- ' AS MEN AMONG MEN GUEST EDITORI,AL If '· Teachers have been derided for their spinelessness. Teachers have been extolled :for their noble mission. At the least peep about pecuniary rights from them, they are chided into submissive silence or hush-hushed with promises. When the government aims to have some nation-wide project done right, public school teachers are pressed into service--a mute testimony of their promptness and reliability. One begins to wonder if the teaching profession just ~aturally attracts only the "dumb intellectuals" of the species, or if the service irons out all impulses that are human in nature, leaving only over-discreet, over-cautious, over-meek creatures not worthy of their name. But teachers are really people. While they are ever aware of their role as models of deportment and right habits of doing and thinking, they run with the same mechanism that makes every man tick. They can be hurt, they can be angry. They can love, have growing families, desire material necessities that make for a higher standard of living. It will take time before the thousands ami thousands of teachers all over the Islands finally catch on to the idea that the PPSTA is truly out for much-needed reform, constructive reform. The opportunities for abiding, disinterested leadership are here and now. Surely, in every group there is someone who can dispassionately voice the sentiments of the majority, and may serve to effect changes that will eventually redound to the good of the community. - \ Needless to state, nothing can be affected by mere g·rumbling and bitter self-pity. Conferences and group discussion often do much to enlighten both sides and eliminate any unnecessary friction. Organized action can make goals attainable. Teachers must first have a clear idea of what they n!!ed, then go after it with sustained vigor. And may they not be mistaken any more for dehydrated specimens, but respected as men among men. ~ I PANALIG R. BELMONTE Teacher, Arellano High School I \ I I I I I I I