Outside Filipino, Panitikan

This post was created a few months ago. Please pardon for the late posting. I was hesitant at first, but this topic is very important to be seen on a wider perspective, so let me share my personal thoughts on it as a parent of 2 young boys.

Coming from a home where I have maintained English as the first language spoken, at the same time, live around the traditions and culture as Filipinos, I have to say, that yes, removing Filipino, Panitikan in the college curriculum is okay.

Who am I to say why it is okay? 

Read on...

The moment we came out in this world, regardless where you’re from, which country you grew up in, awareness of our roots begins from the very walls of our homes. Schools are institutions that give us the chance to broaden our idea of the said culture and background. They’re also the very same body that helps us practice and embrace these traditions outside our homes.

Taking the said subject out of the curriculum does not make us less of a Filipino, especially when it’s taken from a certain level of education where we should have embraced our nationality by heart and mind.

In my own opinion, this is just a step up, in preparation for the world that is globally competitive. Work begins with good communication skills and with English being the main language. As a matter of fact, a third language would be an asset.

3 languages, 4 or more, does not rip you off from your roots as a Filipino. The foundation during our primary and secondary days in school has made us love and appreciate who we are. Our history, our traditions to our beliefs are intact. 

As a parent of 2 boys, who will lead their own families too, I look at the bigger picture. I searched for the benefits instead.  It’s simplifying work load of students and putting their concentration on something that can be more useful now and in the future. 

In the end, our beloved institutions are still given the freedom, the choice whether to include Filipino, Panitikan in the school curriculum.