Right issue in wrong forum
At first, I saw the viral video and formed my initial opinion. I watched the television news. Read printed news items and then formulated another opinion. This time, it's rather different from the first. Yes, I saw Krisel Mallari's speech on video and read the whole text of her "welcome address" as salutatorian in a graduation ceremony of a parochial school in Quezon City. Obviously, I cannot pass this incident without sharing my opinion of which I have a personal experience both as a student and as an educator.
Based on several interviews on TV, Krisel Mallari, without anymore wanting to be the valedictorian, just wanted that what she has gone through will not be experienced by "the next generation." That transparency shall be observed by the school in grades computation. She alleged that she didn't see how the grades of her other subjects were computed of which the school denied. That her father wanted also to see how the grades of the valedictorian are being computed but was deprived of by the school as this needs approval of the parents.
When I was a student, I also shared the same experience with Krisel's. There were really instances that I felt I didn't deserve my grades. This especially when no painstaking explanation as to how our grades were computed. And admittedly even when I am already teaching, there are still requests for clarification from my students which I readily explained as I don't want them to experience such boggling inconvenience.
Specifically in determining honors for the graduating class, there are certain criteria and guidelines. Generally, it is not all academic but other areas like the extra-curricular involvements are likewise considered. This is so as we want deserving students who do not only excel in academics but also in other equally important areas. Because we are exposing them to different areas as we want them to be well-rounded individuals capable of responding to real-life challenges independently.
I salute the student's boldness of spirit, of being a critical thinker. Unlike most of our students, Krisel opted to do for what she believes needs change for the better.
Conventionally however, as the class salutatorian, she was supposed to deliver a welcome address. And expectedly, a welcome address is for the audience, visitors and guests to feel welcomed for the occasion. Highlighting the idea that their presence is valued, the speaker would project a feeling of positivity, like being grateful or inspirational. But what happened, Krisel opted to read a message that is critical of the school system, a system that is clouded with doubts. And so this opted the school officials to stop her at the middle of her speech.
Yes she has the right to question a system that she feels leaning to something or someone. But did the venue and moment call for the venting out of such critical thinking?
A formal and solemn ceremony, graduation follows certain long established guidelines and protocols. Therefore breaking these would mean inappropriate and uncalled for. This is the very reason that for years at the University of the Philippines Cebu and even all throughout the entire UP system, only right after the graduation that we allow our student activists to have their limelight as they parade in front of the entire audience. With placards, they shout out what they believe in are the major issues that government must seriously look into. And yes this has been the scene every graduation ceremony.
Krisel was successful because her message gets through to the school officials loud and clear. And because of social media, it got the attention, both positive and negative, from the netizens. And to the Department of Education officials so they will now conduct an investigation even without a formal complaint.
And yes I agree with DepEd in its initial statement that they "shall always respect the rights of our students to freely express their thoughts and feelings in light of existing laws and the provision of the Constitution". And very true also when it continued by saying "… and in a manner and forum that is appropriate.
I have nothing against freedom of speech. It calls for celebration not censorship. However freedom is not absolute. And so I have some misgiving on this particular case. The student has all the rights to express her sentiments but doing so requires proper venues to air such grievances.
Our young students need guidance from enlightened adults. While we train them not to be passive but be critical about issues affecting them and that they should never tolerate injustices. But this has to be coupled with being socially sensitive to certain generally accepted practices and conventions.
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