Last Saturday I had the opportunity to moderate a lecture forum on the topic “Raising Children in the Media Age” with Dr. Queena Lee-Chua of the Ateneo de Manila University. I was invited to host by Dr. Boyet Quitevis, president of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) Central Visayas chapter. PPS organized the event in coordination with Cebu Doctor’s University Hospital.
Dr. Chua shared her observations as a teacher of math and psychology in Ateneo, including her frustration over students getting poor grades. I share her view that students are confident and smart but are easily distracted by many things particularly their gadgets.
Today, many students especially those in college have cellular phones and laptops. The models they own are even more expensive that the mobile phones of their teachers. I’ve heard parents complain that their children sleep late because they use their gadgets until the wee hours of the morning.
I’ve been teaching for 20 years and I can say my students of earlier years got better grades than those I handle today.
There was a time I reviewed my lesson plans to see if there was something wrong with my teaching method because many students were faring poorly in class. I discovered that the students lacked focus and drive, and were less interested in solving problems or finding the answers to questions.
Admittedly, students today are confident and smart. They are part of the Me Generation, as described by Dr. Chua. A classic example that she shared with us is Facebook and Instagram where personal accounts are filled with nonsensical pictures and notes about food that kids eat, the places they went to and things they do.
A pediatrician also discussed some steps she took to curb the distractions faced by the children, such as not giving them mobile phones or laptops and no TV viewing on school nights. I empathize with parents who face the challenge of rearing children today.
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Last Saturday evening, Cebu City experienced one of its heaviest rains that left many streets flooded. Many were stranded. It’s not the first time this has happened.
The city government should now implement a serious flood control system. I also beg the City Council to stop partisan politicking and support the flood control program of the mayor, which is necessary. Reasonable members of the council should cooperate and help find solutions.
This is no time to obstruct efforts because the program is for the good of the city lest the people would judge them for depriving the public of a program that would save lives and properties.
I urge the business sector to open up the rivers and stop blocking the natural path of water by voluntarily demolishing structures erected over waterways.
To the informal settlers beside rivers and creeks, it’s time they moved out because of the danger they face living there.
Rivers are not dwelling places for people. Rivers are the natural pathways for water to exit to the sea and should not be blocked by any structure. I am appealing to all concerned to give way so that we will no longer have massive flooding in Cebu City.