By Arthur Keefe
Education and the poor
I was recently shown a copy of the excellent handbook given to new students at Tañon College. Two things in particular invited reflection. Firstly, the College describes itself as “Non-Sectarian”, consistent with its claim to “welcome students regardless of race, creed, or economic status.”
I assumed that meant that the school promoted as particular religion, but in further reading I discovered that the College’s mission included the phrase that it is “committed to provide quality Christian education!”
Presumably, the reference to non-sectarian really means they do not promote one Christian sect over another, rather than promoting no religion at all. I was also pleased to hear from the students that no particular religious observance was required as in the case at the Catholic schools in the city.
At least the College welcome students of all faiths or none. Unlike at Colegio De Sta. Rita where a student, studying midwifery, who decided to attend mass on the basis that she was a Mormon, was told this was a Catholic College, and attendance at mass was a condition of being a student!
In practice Tañon operates a liberal policy, although it needs to revisit the apparent contradiction between being non-sectarian, and yet a Christian.
The more interesting point was contained in a statement of Vision (page 8), where it states that “Poverty is not a hindrance to success.”
The aim of the College founder in offering opportunities to the poor in commendable, although even its unavoidable modest fee structure is not really consistent with this aim.However, the statement made is clearly not true. Even a free or heavily subsided college cannot break the link between poverty and failure (or wealth and success). At best it can ameliorate or reduce it.
A child of a poor family may have loving parents who wish their child to progress, but they will lack the resources to enable this. Where in the money to buy school books, to make numerous photocopies, to produce project materials? Even the Public High School requires a cash contribution each year of around P500 for a variety of purposes, and of course there is no Public College at all in San Carlos.
Further, the parents own lack of education will seriously limit their ability to help their child with their studies, and will often (not always) lead them to undervalue the benefits of education.
The useful statistics showing large number of children dropping out of both elementary and high school education in evidence enough of the link between poverty and failure. Few children of the wealthy will drop out, and most will progress to college.
These comments will be self evident to most readers, and perhaps Tañon would revise the statement in its handbook. What is true, and could be emphasized, is that poverty is not an insurmountable hindrance to success. With determination, good luck, and ability, it is possible for a child from a poor family to beat the odds and to succeed. I am one such myself. However, the big difference for me was that I was educated in the UK, where newly elected socialist government in 1945 created a free, scholarship based system of schooling. The top 20% went to selective “Grammar schools”. Of these, the top 5% of the age group had free University education, including a monthly living allowance.I was therefore able to complete schooling and University without my parents being required to pay anything.
We are a long way from that here (and in the UK too, University is now fee based), but some progress could be made. Tañon itself reduces or remits fees for its outstanding students, a practice consistent with the vision of its founder. Alongside this, businesses or professional associations or trade unions, or even wealthy families, could establish scholarships designed for the brightest children of low income families. This is a practice in the UK and more so in the USA, often involving legacies.
As I have argued many times in the column, the most effective measure by far for promoting opportunities for all young people would be for the city to attract a State University, which offers government founded programs at less cost to students that any private college can sustain.
It is disgraceful that an initiative from North Negros Universiy was turned down last year. The reasons are disputed, but lobbying by the owner and managers of the private colleges in the city, including Tañon, seems highly likely to have played a part.
If the present day managers of Tañon wish to remain true to the vision of their founder, and the catholic run colleges wish to follow the teaching of their spiritual leader, the College should be in the vanguard of a campaign for a State University. They would be challenged of course and would have to adopt, but a collaborative relationship could be developed in which they could also play a part.
At present very few children of the poor can achieve all their potential in the education system. The reasons are many, and include nutrition and health, culture and living conditions, and a general lack of resources. We can however lessen this link, and give greater opportunities to some, by adopting the proposals I have set out above.
I assumed that meant that the school promoted as particular religion, but in further reading I discovered that the College’s mission included the phrase that it is “committed to provide quality Christian education!”
Presumably, the reference to non-sectarian really means they do not promote one Christian sect over another, rather than promoting no religion at all. I was also pleased to hear from the students that no particular religious observance was required as in the case at the Catholic schools in the city.
At least the College welcome students of all faiths or none. Unlike at Colegio De Sta. Rita where a student, studying midwifery, who decided to attend mass on the basis that she was a Mormon, was told this was a Catholic College, and attendance at mass was a condition of being a student!
In practice Tañon operates a liberal policy, although it needs to revisit the apparent contradiction between being non-sectarian, and yet a Christian.
The more interesting point was contained in a statement of Vision (page 8), where it states that “Poverty is not a hindrance to success.”
The aim of the College founder in offering opportunities to the poor in commendable, although even its unavoidable modest fee structure is not really consistent with this aim.However, the statement made is clearly not true. Even a free or heavily subsided college cannot break the link between poverty and failure (or wealth and success). At best it can ameliorate or reduce it.
A child of a poor family may have loving parents who wish their child to progress, but they will lack the resources to enable this. Where in the money to buy school books, to make numerous photocopies, to produce project materials? Even the Public High School requires a cash contribution each year of around P500 for a variety of purposes, and of course there is no Public College at all in San Carlos.
Further, the parents own lack of education will seriously limit their ability to help their child with their studies, and will often (not always) lead them to undervalue the benefits of education.
The useful statistics showing large number of children dropping out of both elementary and high school education in evidence enough of the link between poverty and failure. Few children of the wealthy will drop out, and most will progress to college.
These comments will be self evident to most readers, and perhaps Tañon would revise the statement in its handbook. What is true, and could be emphasized, is that poverty is not an insurmountable hindrance to success. With determination, good luck, and ability, it is possible for a child from a poor family to beat the odds and to succeed. I am one such myself. However, the big difference for me was that I was educated in the UK, where newly elected socialist government in 1945 created a free, scholarship based system of schooling. The top 20% went to selective “Grammar schools”. Of these, the top 5% of the age group had free University education, including a monthly living allowance.I was therefore able to complete schooling and University without my parents being required to pay anything.
We are a long way from that here (and in the UK too, University is now fee based), but some progress could be made. Tañon itself reduces or remits fees for its outstanding students, a practice consistent with the vision of its founder. Alongside this, businesses or professional associations or trade unions, or even wealthy families, could establish scholarships designed for the brightest children of low income families. This is a practice in the UK and more so in the USA, often involving legacies.
As I have argued many times in the column, the most effective measure by far for promoting opportunities for all young people would be for the city to attract a State University, which offers government founded programs at less cost to students that any private college can sustain.
It is disgraceful that an initiative from North Negros Universiy was turned down last year. The reasons are disputed, but lobbying by the owner and managers of the private colleges in the city, including Tañon, seems highly likely to have played a part.
If the present day managers of Tañon wish to remain true to the vision of their founder, and the catholic run colleges wish to follow the teaching of their spiritual leader, the College should be in the vanguard of a campaign for a State University. They would be challenged of course and would have to adopt, but a collaborative relationship could be developed in which they could also play a part.
At present very few children of the poor can achieve all their potential in the education system. The reasons are many, and include nutrition and health, culture and living conditions, and a general lack of resources. We can however lessen this link, and give greater opportunities to some, by adopting the proposals I have set out above.
No comments:
Post a Comment