Editorial-Bridge Program: Advantages and Disadvantages

Indeed, basic education is a significant tool in producing professionals who are skilled and well-prepared in order to be a strong labor force and foundation of the country.
At present the Philippines requires only 10 years of basic education, a considerably a shorter period compared to neighboring countries such as Hong Kong, Korea, and Singapore which require 13 years of basic education. It is also due to this that the three countries perform better in international science and mathematics achievement tests.
Due to the need to improve the academic skills of students, some educators feel that an additional 2 years would be a key to the problem of the country regarding the poor academic performance of Filipino students. They refer to this as the Bridge Program of the Department of Education.
If the Bridge Program will be approved, what would be the results? It is expected that primarily, there will be an enhanced labor marketability of the graduates. Moreover, there will be improvement in the academic performance and awareness of students.
However, what would be the negative results? It is said that the program would require a huge amount of money for additional rooms, furniture, books and school materials.
Likewise, more teachers will be needed and this will require additional budget not only on the part of the government but also on the part of the parents who will have to support their children for two more years. Furthermore, some say that this will increase the rate of drop-outs due to the family’s lack of capability to support the studies of the children.
If the expected results of the program will happen, it would be of great help to the students and the country. However, there are still many circumstances to consider. Nonetheless, if the objectives are good and if the outcome will be beneficial to all, the Bridge Program must be implemented. PBMA

SBO CORNER

Busy, excited, anxious, stressed -- these are the words, which may describe the SBO officers’ experience for the last couple of months. Fortunately, we were able to accomplish and launch the programs targeted for August to November, thanks to the efforts and sweat of all the SBO officers and class officers.
Last August, though there was little span of time for planning, we were able to contribute in the celebration of the “Buwan ng Wika” through our “Kundirana” and “Mini-Amazing Race.”
By October, we have launched the “Newspaper Drive” and the “Top Three Cleanest Classroom.” The newspaper drive was successful and because of this we were able to generate funds for upcoming activities. For the Cleanest Classroom campaign, we hope that it would be continued for the succeeding school years to come because the improvement of cleanliness in our school was very much visible when it was implemented.
As MDPS celebrated its 21st Foundation Day, the SBO continued to add fun and entertainment through the booths we have put up, namely, the Jail, Dedication, Dare and Music booths.
Come December, we hope to accomplish three activities, our “Parol-making contest,” “Personnel’s Day” and the Christmas Outreach program.

EDITORIAL - The Burden of the Nation

At present time, it is a fact that Filipinos, regardless of wealth or status, are affected by the soaring prices of food products, fuel and other commodities. It was said that July 2008 recorded the fastest consumer price increase for the past 17 years (Inflation Comparison, Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 11, 2008). Nonetheless, this problem is not experienced by our country alone. As they say, this is a problem that our neighboring countries are experiencing too.
If we look closely on the consequence of this problem, it will come down to the conclusion that the people who are very much affected by the weight of the surge in price increase are the poor. As the situation worsens and as the prices of commodities climb up, it becomes more difficult for the poor to cope up and find a way to make their already meager income suffice for their needs.
Likewise, people on the middle-class also carry the burden of this obstacle. As a result of the escalation of fuel prices, nowadays, even individuals who have their own cars would resort to commuting in order to lessen their expenses.
We students are in no way exemptions to the situation. Indeed, at the moment, we do not have to worry about how to allocate our income or manage household expenses.
Nonetheless, the least we can do is to help in lessening the load on our parents’ shoulders. The final question is, “What can we do?” At this point, we cannot expect that we will be able to move mountains on the blink of an eye. No matter how small is the help that we give or the effort that we exert, one way or another, we were able to help. PBMA

SBO Corner

By Dhanice Ann Mengote, SBO President

The Student Body Organization (SBO) for this year aims to be visible and productive. We wish to render more services to our fellow MDPsians.
To encourage them to aim for academic excellence, we prepared activities like the academic fair, scheduled peer teaching and symposiums.
For the spiritual aspect, we feel responsible in supporting and helping our school in living up with its Catholic title. We have included programs like Most Pious class, “Pondo ng Pinoy”, Christmas outreach and the medical mission which will be held by October.
“Students Caught on Eye”, “Anti-Smoking Campaign”, “Signages”, “Parol- making Contest”, “Top Three Cleanest Classrooms” and the “Newspaper Drive” are programs which may help the school in maintaining the cleanliness and neatness of the campuses.
To break free from stress, we have prepared programs that are meant for recreation and promoting camaraderie. Some of which are the Teachers’ Day, Students’ Day / Variety Show, Junior-Senior Prom, Christmas Program and the Foundation Day booths.
All of these are meant for the well-being of students and we hope to achieve that goal by the end of the year with your support.