Learning through the University of Life

We are now entering the 3rd week of the Zamboanga siege. Schools outside so-called ground zero (Mariki, Rio Hondo, Sta Barbara, Campo Muslim, Sta Catalina and Kasanyangan) have opened today. Schools in some areas in Lamitan were disrupted. Certain areas in Maguindanao are also disrupted. Conflict here and there. If our concept of learning is based on the premise of the four-wall classroom, then our kids have just lost about ten (10) contact learning days.

Fortunately, learning is not limited to school. Unfortunately, few people realized this is so true. Learning does not stop once you leave school or outside school. Learning continues even outside the school premises. In this context, the parents and the community at large are also teachers of our children. This is one perspective about lifelong learning.

In areas where disaster, natural or man-made is frequent, parents as "primary teachers" should be ready to bridge the learning of their children in schools or provide stimuli that will allow them to understand "the university of life", build their set of "life skills" and deepen their set of values.

In a conflict situation, parents should be able to respond to their children's queries: "why are they fighting?", "what are they fighting for?", "can they not talk?", etc. Some kids would react in a way that is reflective of what they have seen on television, read on the internet or newspaper, or hear from adults and their peers. As they start to ask questions, they start to form their own opinion. How do we respond if their novice opinion is consistent or consistent with us?  

What do we do if they cheer on helicopters passing overhead or hide between our legs? How do we guide them in a situation where even we adults are puzzled ourselves? Are we going to talk for the moment or talk about the future repercussion of our opinion? 

These are responsibilities of parents and care givers in between school during a conflict regime. Remember in this situation, the world is the school, our daily life is the university, what and how we teach them will build the foundation of our children's life skills. It is up to us if we want to plant the seeds of hate and division? Or build the seeds of love, compassion and living together.