Character education in schools pressed

By Marian A. Maraya

Staff Reporter

Education leaders called on parents and teachers to exert a concerted efforts on the need to institute character education among students as a way of curbing problems on discipline in schools.

“Do we care enough to take the challenges and get involved in our children’s education?” Board of Education Anthony Pellegrino said during the 2nd Annual Public Education Summit held at Hopwood Jr. High School Friday.

Close to 500 participants to the Professional Development Day were quite open to ideas resource speakers had imparted during the forum.

Mr. Pellegrino, who firmly spoke on the need to “restructure and re-engineer” public schools through character education, listed at least six recommendations the public education sector should consider.

He underscored that the institution of character building in schools can be administered at no extra cost to the government or other entities.

“Character education in the school system doesn’t cost a single cent. All it takes is a change in the attitude. We don’t need fancy equipment…just a change in outlook,” he said.

On top of his agenda is the bid to lengthen the school day and the school year for students.

Instead of the regular 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. scheduled school hours, Mr. Pellegrino believes students would gain a lot if their time spent in school is extended.

“Students should be made to do their homework in school where teachers, computers, and the library are still available. Being home in the evening should be time for family, friends and relaxation. This way, students will also be able to engage in social and cultural activities that are denied of most students because they have to catch the 2:30 bus. And what do they go home to? An empty house,” he said.

Mr. Pellegrino also encouraged schools to administer team teaching in groups of 5 to 7, in efforts to promote a more comprehensive teaching approach that would greatly benefit students.

“Weaker teachers will be assisted by stronger teachers so that the entire school faculty becomes better,” he added.

He also suggested that teachers track his/her group of students at least three consecutive grade levels to maintain closeness and foster emotional stability between students and teachers.

The move, according to Mr. Pellegrino, is also guaranteed to produce less discipline problems in the classroom.

The BOE member further discouraged teachers to rely on textbooks as the ultimate source for classroom learning.

He instead encouraged educators to drive students to explore other forms of media and reference materials.

He also challenged parents to take a more active role in their children’s education.

“Parents, stop saying that you’ve are not allowed to become part of the decision-making policy board. No one is stopping you but yourself. You must wrestle the system…make demand, shout, scream, be a pain the neck. If you don’t do this, then you deserve what you get,” Mr. Pellegrino told parents at the summit.

“I believe that he had very powerful messages. I can say he has some good ideas. But I think there are some concepts that need to be revisited. The forum should not stop there. This is the first time that the public has heard the board speak so clearly about a specific issue and it’s good. We just need to come back and conduct more discussions on it…not leave it hanging,” said acting Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan.