On teachers' social intelligence

Jasmin O. Salonga

IN ALL school systems, the teacher is considered the cutting edge of the educational tool. Her importance to the educative process has long been recognized. On account of tremendous influence which she wields upon the education of the youth, attention has always been focused on her professional and personal equipment.

In 1936, the John Dewey Society in the United states conducted a study of the social attitudes of teachers. Its findings in general showed that the teachers were ignorant of the most elementary social facts which should form a part of every citizen’s stock of information. What would be the the showing of our teachers if a similar study were conducted in his country today? The answer may be highly speculative but it is certainly interesting

The average teacher should be trained in the science as well as in the arts of teaching. This is no doubt important. But no less important than . But no lesss important than her professional training is her general education which should give her a rich background for interpreting the various social agencis and forces which influence modern life. The aims and purposes of democracy can be achieved only y giving due consideration to the problems and conflicts of modern society. Conactsthus made will go a long way in creating a keener social consciousness which will ultimately lead to a free and untrimmed discussion of current problems and the application to them of democratic principles.

To produce socially intelligent and socially minded citizens, we need above all socially intelligent and socially minded teachers. And we cannot hope to have such teachers unless we all realize the great advantages which will result from the removal of civil service restrictions which not only curtail but also deaden the teacher’s freedom of thought.(The Magus of Progressive Education)

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The author is Teacher II at Remedios Elementary School,

Remedios, Lubao, Pampanga