ADJUSTING TO A DIVERSE SOCIETY

AILEEN M. MULDONG

Today’s young people are living in an exciting time, with an increasingly diverse society, new technologies and expanding opportunities. To help ensure that they are prepared to become the next generation of parents, workers, leaders, and citizens, every pupil needs support, guidance and opportunities during childhood, a time of rapid growth and change. Children face unique and diverse challenges, both personally and developmentally, that have an impact on academic achievement.

The elementary years are times when pupils begin to develop their academic self-concept and their feelings of competence and confidence as learners. They are beginning to develop decisions-making, communication and life skills, as well as character values. It is also a time when pupils develop and acquire attitudes towards school, self, peers, social groups, and family. Comprehensive developmental school program provide education, prevention and intervention services which are integrated into all aspects of children’s lives. Early identification and intervention of children’s academic and personal/ social needs is essential in removing barriers to learning and in promoting academic achievement. The knowledge, attitudes and skills that students acquire in the areas of academic, career and personal/social development during these elementary years serve as the foundation for future success.

Schools are communities with characteristics similar to the broader communities in which most of us live. Political, social, and economic decisions are constantly being made regarding schools that have a direct impact on the members of that community- students, faculty, administration, and staff. As one of the most important purposes of education is to prepare young people to become and informed citizens of the community in which they live, it is essential that students be given meaningful opportunities to participate in the governance of the school community. Such opportunities can be best created by the establishment of an effective student government in every school .

Effective student governments serve a number of important purposes in the schools. They are laboratories in which students can learn and practice essential citizenships skills, respect for human dignity, and the valve of the democratic process. They provide students with effective forums for advocat-

ing new ideas and initiating school improvements. Effective student governments also provide a platform for the orderly expression of conflicting view points and procedures for resolving conflicts when student disagree with policies and decisions that affect their lives.

One of the upsides of elementary school is that your child will have the opportunity to join clubs, sport teams, and possibly, even run or volunteer for school government. Participating in school government can be a wonderful learning opportunity for the child, and it can even help your child develop skills and meet new friends. If your child is thinking about joining school government be sure you discuss how it will impact his schedule, time and other activities. But also consider the advantages of what school government can do for your child and what he can learn from the experience.

Many students do not realize the importance or value behind joining student organizations. There are many reasons why one should join a student organization. Some help them with his career, some help him with social skills, and some help him with personality development.

The easy and best network with students who have similar interest in joining a student organization. It can help them with their hobbies or anything that they are passionate about. As a student, you want to learn how to talk to other people; this is your opportunity to build some social skills. You take up the responsibility or challenge to be a leader and learn what it takes to be a leader. The schools will help you by giving you training and instilling those good leadership skills.

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The author is Teacher III at Banaba Elementary School, Bamban District,

Division of Tarlac Province