Alleba Politics

For about a month now, I have been tutoring third year high school students from a private high school here in Davao City. Although I cannot claim to be an expert in teaching there were just some things that caught my attention that really bother me.

If there is one problem with high school students today, it’s that they’re too lazy. Too lazy to do things and too lazy to think. I have been teaching Chemistry and Advanced Algebra and it really frustrates me when the questions or exercises I give them are answered with blank stares. And after just a millisecond of reading and “analyzing” the question, they would easily give up and declare me as a “sadist.” Something as simple as substituting values on a given equation or converting measurements or quantities into another unit seem so hard for my students. And what really frustrates me is their constant whining and pleading that I be easy on them. Instead of trying to figure out ways of answering or solving problems, they would resort to laughing, chatting or shooting looks of resentment my way. In other words, walang ka-effort-effort.

Truth be told, I was a lazy student, but if somebody would tell me that I was as lazy as my current students, I would not hesitate to do bodily harm to that person. I did procrastinate my way through high school and college but I could also say that I never did give up on using my head. I cannot fathom how these students who supposedly passed grade school and two years of high school could be so unwilling or unused to using their brains. It’s not that they are bobo or lacking in intelligence, it’s just that they are not willing to use what they know. And sometimes, they are even unwilling to learn more.

Maybe they do lack the proper training in school. Or maybe they just weren’t guided well enough. Whatever the reason or cause, something has to be done. If these students continue to keep their brains focused on nothing but Ragnarok, chismis, makeup and superficial stuff, what will happen to them when they go out into the real cutthraot rat race? If they think I am tough and sadistic, what would they think of college professors who give out low grades just because, or who don’t come to class just because? What would they think and how would they handle the pressures of bancing finances, starting up businesses and hurdle the all too important task of finding a suitable job?

It’s exam season in two weeks and I fear for them. How would they fare? Have they defrosted their long frozen brain cells and are ready to use it again? Will they try to tackle and answer the tough questions rather than whine and bitch in frustration? How would they be able the just passing grades they are content with if they are not even willing to exert the minimum that is required of them?

What’s more frightening is the thought that adulthood is just around the corner and life is waiting to eat them up whole. Unless they themselves are willing to flex their brain muscles, there is little that can be done to prepare them for their exams in the next two weeks or for that more important exam that is life.