A classroom can change both a student's life and a nation's future. In the heat of the election's climate, they are used as voting precincts, and inside them, there will always be teachers.
Teachers always remind us that we have the right to vote. With their guidance, we, the people, have the power in the Philippines to bring change, choose good governance, and let the flame ablaze for generations to come. More than serving the country as holistic masters in education, they are manning the cornerstone of democracy—the election.
Teaching is known to be a noble profession. The high standards and qualities on their shoulders extend to the electoral process. Their knowledge of the administrative functions and strategic ways of ensuring that the votes are secured takes more than a foot forward.
Educators are also trained to handle the nooks and crannies during the election period, especially in using the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). They are equipped with skills that can immediately solve problems that may arise to keep a smooth election flow. They are also the ones reaching the rural areas to guarantee votes even from secluded places.
Their roles are crucial in upholding election integrity, and their challenges are portrayed in the media as well. Balota, a political drama starring Marian Rivera as Teacher Emmy released nationwide on October 16, 2024, shows the bravery and struggles faced by Teacher Emmy to protect the ballot box containing crucial votes. The story clearly exposed the dirt and filth during elections in the Philippines where deceitful, corrupt, and unqualified people are trying to make it to the top.
Beyond these movies, teachers are also putting their lives on the line as the trusted ones for voting transparency and polling duties. The hurdles and challenges fade with circles shaded to tell the fortune of the country for the coming years and the line finally comes to a blur. This is proof that there is no limit to serving the public.
A teacher can bridge the gap and make things happen. They can change a student's life and the nation's future. The classroom is their haven and inside each, the pulse of democracy beats even louder.
Article by: Ms. Princess Garcia, The Catalyst Associate Editor
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