Remember the ‘gift’ of education: Vincentians tell AdU community
Date Posted: August 25, 2020 at 03:29 PM
The education sector has taken a big hit since the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than a handful
of private schools have been shut down, and continue to struggle.
Countless students and their families have also experienced difficulties in keeping up with academic
demands as set by the Department of Education, and the Commission on Higher Education.
As Adamson U opens it School Year, two Vincentian priests remind us of the ‘gift’ of education amid the
limitations, and threats posed by COVID-19.
Mission is education
In his message during the University’s opening ceremonies, Fr. Marcelo V. Manimtim, CM, President of
Adamson University, reminded administrators, faculty and co-academic staff to “hold on to the nobility
of [their] mission to educate our youth”.
“The innovations in teaching and learning can make education even in these trying times more
interesting, and relevant for learners. If their interest is touched and challenged, the students will in turn
be more motivated and engaged,” he said.
“This is the great challenge to our teachers: to seize the opportunities for improving the craft of teaching
as we continue our mission of providing quality education to our students... Up to this point, I’m asking
each one of you what to do for the sake of our students.”
Fr. Manimtim also argued that despite claims of improvement in the current COVID-19 situation, there
remains no clear future after the pandemic.
“There is no sense yet to talk of ‘a new normal’, or of a post-pandemic situation. The increasing COVID-
19 infection and our inability to contain it is the context for reflecting on our mission to educate the
youth, the more than 22 million Filipinos of schooling age,” he said.
He also mentioned the precarious conditions of students and their families, as well as the fact that the
pandemic forces both student and teacher, and even the University itself to grapple with technology in
delivering academic instruction.
“The professors will have to do a very delicate balancing act: on the one hand, it is okay to be exacting
with the course requirements. On the other you will need the human understanding and appreciation of
the practical difficulties that the students have from day to day,” he said.
“ [S]ince we know now that the students share their formal learning environment with their families,
modules should be designed in ways that family members could be involved in the learning experience.
Do we seriously take this into consideration? The hours of consultation will have to take these
conditions into account if they were to be effective.”
Fr. Manimtim also furthered that such plans would require the help of other University offices,
especially the Guidance and Counselling Office.
In addition, the AdU President mentioned the University can only do so much.
“The University can do all the collaboration…for the provision of laptops and instructional gadgets and
internet connectivity. At Adamson, we have set up the Center for Innovative Learning to coordinate all
our efforts in the effective conduct of online classes. All the faculty members have undergone training in
the use of Blackboard Learn Ultra. The training, however, would be short-sighted if what it taught all our
professors is effective use,” he argued.
“What we need is not only an upgrading in the Learning Management System. What we need is a bigger
change, a mindset change, the change of attitude towards technology and its use in education.”
Fr. Manimtim challenged all employees to adjust to the demands of ‘these trying times.’
Staying true to the Vincentian charism, he concluded his speech by asking guidance from the Lady of the
Miraculous Medal.
Education beyond education
Fr. Rafael Eloriaga, CM, AdU Vice President for Financial Affairs, asked during his homily in the
University’s Mass of the Holy Spirit, “What do we pray for?”
The question carried the context of the celebration — the guidance of the Holy Spirit throughout
another School Year. But as Fr. Eloriaga put it, pray to excel, to use talents for something worthwhile, to
rejoice in success and prayerful amid challenges, and to always remember the Catholic faith.
“Just as the apostles experienced the coming of the Spirit as Jesus promised, it is our birth right – as
baptized Christians to claim the Holy Spirit to be upon us,” he said.
Fr. Eloriaga, in his homily, again reminded the importance of faith to educators and students, and
furthered that with faith, both must also strive beyond the common fruits of education.
“Today, let us not only ask and received the gifts of the Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel,
fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord,” he said.
“[Let us ask to] be noisy and restless, a community fighting for justice and against any form of corruption
— improving the lives of street children and the homeless, volunteering to run feeding and
rehabilitation centres, helping people find jobs, advocating justice, peace and the integrity of creation.
Let us try to make a difference, to be bold enough to shout the truth we would rather not hear.”
