Eye Opener
Changing textbooks yearly, anomalous
The practice of many teachers in private schools to change every school year the textbooks used in both the elementary and high school levels is not only unfair to parents but is seemingly anomalous. Because of the scheme the textbooks used, say, by Grade 3 in the last school year can no longer be used by the Grade 3 pupils in the succeeding year. The teacher would usually recommend a new set of textbooks usually advised by book producers. And the sad part of it is that, the prices of new textbooks from Grades 1 to 6 are exorbitantly high like P3,500 to P4,500 for the complete set. If a pupil lacks even only one book, he could not be admitted to the classroom.
What are the DepEd officials doing? Are they not in cohorts with textbook dealers and manufacturers that they seem to keep quiet of this unethical practice? Are they not aware of this practice? Parents with four children who are all in the elementary grades have to buy new textbooks every school year as the books they purchased the previous year could no longer be used by the other children who are going to the next higher grade. If one examines the new textbooks and compare them with old ones, the changes are minor and only refer to the dates, names of persons, drawings and other insignificant events. But the same learning methods and processes of the grade level concerned are printed in the new textbooks which are also found in the old ones.
DepEd officials wake up and help our suffering parents from the high cost of education in contravention with our government policy of helping the parents suffering from the high cost of living. You are in your present position as DepEd employees and officials not only to receive fat salaries plus enumerable benefits, but to help our children get good education at a lower cost possible. The budget of DepEd runs to three-digit billions of pesos every year and yet the taxpayers suffer and agonize due to the inept discipline of high education officials and employees.
Remember what our Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 25:40, "And the King will answer and say to them: Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to Me." If you have helped the suffering parents in their problem of high textbook payment, you have done this to Jesus Christ your Lord. Yes many DepEd officials are Christians. Do they truly practice their faith? When you die, where will your soul go since while on earth you may have done evil things?