‘Walang Maiiwan’, dokumentaryo ni Kara David (Full Episode) | I-Witness

Summary

In the remote village of San Guillermo, Isabela, students like Marvin endure great hardships just to attend school. They cross dangerous rivers, walk hours through muddy mountains, and share meals and footwear. Teachers, like Sir Jun, relentlessly work to reduce the area's high dropout rate by persuading parents and guiding students. Despite overwhelming poverty, the children’s will to learn and the dedication of their teachers shine through. This documentary highlights their daily struggles and sacrifices, showing the power of education and the hope it provides for a better future.

Takeaways

• 😀 The children of Burgos East Elementary School must endure dangerous journeys, including crossing treacherous rivers and walking through slippery mountains, just to reach school.
• 😀 Despite the overwhelming challenges, the children, like Marvin and Aquino, show resilience and a strong determination to pursue education.
• 😀 Many students, including Marvin, have to repeat grades due to frequent absences caused by the need to help their families with work.
• 😀 Aquino, a top student, chooses to stay home and work as a livestock caretaker to support his family instead of attending school.
• 😀 The dropout rate in the area is high, with many children being pulled out of school to help with family obligations once they have learned basic reading and writing skills.
• 😀 Teachers, such as Sir Jun, go to extreme lengths to support their students, including visiting families to convince parents to keep their children in school.
• 😀 Sir Jun emphasizes that no child should be left behind in education, stressing the importance of community-wide responsibility for children's education.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, the children show great solidarity, helping each other through dangerous and difficult conditions on their way to school.
• 😀 The community faces deep economic hardship, which forces children to prioritize work over education, particularly when resources are scarce.
• 😀 Teachers’ dedication is portrayed as a beacon of hope for the children, as they aim to reduce dropout rates and give students a chance for a better future.
• 😀 The story illustrates the broader issue of educational inequality in rural areas, highlighting how geography and poverty create barriers to accessing education.

Q & A

What is the main challenge faced by the students of Burgos East Elementary School?

The students face significant challenges in reaching their school, including crossing dangerous rivers and walking long distances through muddy and mountainous terrain. This daily struggle is further compounded by the lack of proper footwear and resources.

How does the teacher, Sir Jun, support his students outside of classroom lessons?

Sir Jun goes above and beyond by actively helping his students with health issues, such as cleaning their wounds and providing support during the tough commute to and from school. He also visits students' homes to convince parents to allow their children to continue their education despite the hardships.

Why is Marvin, a 10-year-old child, in Kindergarten even though he is older than most children in his grade?

Marvin is in Kindergarten because he has repeated the grade multiple times due to frequent absences. His absences are often caused by his responsibilities at home, such as taking care of his younger siblings while his parents work.

What role do the community and parents play in the education of the children in this area?

The community, especially the parents, plays a critical role in supporting the children’s education. Despite the hardships, parents like Marvin's mother want their children to work and help the family, which often leads to children dropping out of school. However, teachers like Sir Jun continue to persuade parents to prioritize education for their children.

What is the dropout rate in Burgos East Elementary School and what contributes to it?

Burgos East Elementary School has a high dropout rate. The primary contributing factor is poverty, which forces children to quit school to work and support their families. The long distances to the school, combined with the need to help at home, make regular school attendance challenging.

How does Sir Jun try to reduce the dropout rate among his students?

Sir Jun actively works to reduce the dropout rate by visiting the homes of his students, speaking to their parents, and encouraging them to send their children to school. He also provides emotional and educational support to keep his students engaged despite their difficult circumstances.

Why does Marvin's family struggle with the cost of education?

Marvin’s family, like many others in the area, struggles with poverty. They cannot afford the basic necessities like proper footwear or food, and education is often seen as a secondary concern. Marvin’s mother wants him to help with household work instead of going to school, contributing to his frequent absences.

What makes Sir Jun's efforts especially difficult despite his dedication?

Sir Jun's efforts are particularly difficult due to the severe poverty of the families he works with. The children are often forced to help with household chores or work, making it harder for them to attend school. The geographical isolation of the area also complicates transportation and attendance.

What happens when students, like Aquino, choose to leave school for work?

When students like Aquino choose to leave school, it is typically due to a desire to help their families, as seen with Aquino’s decision to work as a herder for the family’s carabao. Although he expresses a wish to continue his education, the economic pressures of his family force him to prioritize work.

How does the documentary emphasize the importance of education despite these challenges?

The documentary highlights the perseverance of both students and teachers in overcoming obstacles to education. It shows that despite the physical, economic, and emotional challenges, education remains a crucial part of the children's lives. Teachers like Sir Jun play an essential role in motivating students and helping them stay on track with their studies.