By Jan Vicente B. Pekas
Among the many problems we Igorots face, I have noticed that the younger people not going to school has been a consistent one. Ever since childhood, I saw many “kabagyans” leave school and go off to work instead or just be a tambay. To this day, you can hear stories from many parents of their dilemmas. They discuss what they could do to entice their children to go back to school or at the very least find a job. Some members of the youth, from what I have seen, still underestimate or have the wrong impression of education.
Many of us, in our younger days, have this arrogance of finding success despite not going to school. Such is the strength of the youth. Perseverance or “tiyaga” have always been popular values for the Cordillerans. To have the perseverance to wake up early in the morning and go to work, you will eventually find success. However, to rely on mere diligence in a country that prefers to reward those with attractive surnames is not enough.
I have also seen many fellow Igorots underestimate themselves and close off the door to education voluntarily. They often think too low of themselves and end up being intimidated by the children of richer folks and their seemingly “intelligent” aura around them. However, they are not aware that there are also many students in school who overestimate themselves, often the children of the rich. School is the perfect location for those who do not know much, it is after all a place for learning.
I have had the privilege to experience something that should not be a mere privilege. Education is a right for everyone. To the Igorots inside classrooms, we can encourage our fellow youths who are fortunate enough to have the means to further their education but hold themselves back. Tell them that an additional weapon alongside courage will only benefit them in an unfair nation. That no one in school is supposed to be smart on the very first day.
The more Igorots go to school the more that this province will be better equipped against the problems it faces. Land grabbing, exploitation of resources, and so much more plague this region. Courage is vital, but education is just as necessary.
I hope that our youths could see the value of education. It is not a detour nor an annoying obstacle you have to go through. It enables, instead, many of us to do greater things. To give back greater contributions to our province.
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