The Greater Tragedy

March 20, 2013 Philippine Daily Inquirer Letter to the Editors Dear Sirs: Several groups last Friday mourned the death of Kristel Tejada - a student at the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila. She reportedly committed suicide after being forced to file for a leave of absence due to financial constraints. Indeed, death by suicide of poor students is a great tragedy within the system of education in our country. What, however, is the greater tragedy is the death of the minds and hearts of millions of student enrolled in schools, colleges, and universities - that are more of COMMERCIAL enterprises than they should be government-sponsored free EDUCATIONAL institutions. Our senators can afford to give millions of pesos as Christmas gifts to each other; or, our congressmen can afford to support their mistresses; or our politicians have millions to run for office and if they win they steal from the government even more millions - why couldn't our government not take total control and support free education in our country? As commercial enterprises - schools, colleges, and universities are places where we Filipinos learn how to be corrupt; how to cheat and lie; how to be greedy, selfish, lethargic, and insane. Hardly, however, are they places where we learn how to become creative men and thinking women; indeed, learn how to become productive and useful citizens for the growth and development of our country. In the Philippines, we are all born ignorant, not corrupt. The corruption that's endemic, pandemic, diabolic, and ecclesiastic in our corrupt society comes from a corrupt system of education! In this already 21st century, it is time for us Filipinos to wake up. Education is not a voyage of credibility via mendacity. It is a voyage of veracity via discovery! Sincerely, Poch Suzara San Lorenzo Village, Makati city