Through the Years 

In the wake of my youthful days, my mother repetitively taught me that education

will bring us to success, “Mag aral kang mabuti para magkaroon ka ng magandang
buhay” (study hard so you’ll have a comfortable life) - she’d told me. However, as a
child, all I wanted to do was play with friends, get dirty under the sun, and school is
definitely not something I look forward to. Thus, no day has gone by without my mom
dragging me to the front gates of my pre-school, she’d say, “pasalamat ka nga andyan
lang ang eskwelahan mo! Nung panahon ko, nilalakad lang namin mula sa bahay
hanggang sa bayan!” (You should be grateful that your school is just nearby! During my
time, we had to walk from our home to downtown!) and whenever I hear her start her
non-ending sermon, I’d rather opt to go to my school. 

Classes were all day long, and my teachers will require us to copy down a series
of notes written in long manila papers, towering the entire blackboard. And worst,
assignments will be given after every session, and again, I have to study when I get
home; it was unpleasant, and I hope I can quit school to just play with friends. But my
grandmother will argue, tell me, “buti nga kayo may klasrum! May upuan, may notebook
at gamit! Kami dati, sa ilalim lang ng puno, at pag walang takdang-aralin, palo kay
titser!” (You had it better now that there are classrooms!  Chairs, notebooks, and other
materials! In my time, we held our classes under a tree, and if we didn't submit our
assignments, the teacher would strike!) - My teacher does not strike us, nor does she
bring a “patpat” (stick) like how my grandmother narrates. But still, I don’t like school. 

However, one day, when I was punished by my mother for not doing well in our
examinations, I sought the comfort of my father and asked why I have to study so hard?
Why can’t I just play outside like my friends? Why is school so important? And my father
told me a story that made me realized how blessed I am, and how much I took this
opportunity for grants, quoted, “nung panahon ko, kokonti lang ang paaralan, malalayo,
at mahal ang matrikula. Kahit gusto ko man mag aral, hindi kaya. Kaya ako, nagtrabaho
na lang.’ (During my time, there were only a few schools, far even, and tuition is also
expensive. And even if I wanted to attend school, we cannot afford it. That’s why I just
worked instead.) 

Today, schools are more accessible, and students are ensured to receive the
best quality education that they can attain; presented with a comfortable classroom, with
chairs, and provided with school materials that they will be needing. Uniforms and
books are also provided, far from the experience of the older generations who were
deprived of these. Also, today, teachers are restricted to practice any “physical
discipline” to the students, unlike during the ages wherein teachers are perceived to be
terror and intimidating. Yes, we had it better. And from there on, I valued my education,
and aspired to teach the succeeding generation to value their education as well.