05/07/2025
A Wake-Up Call for All Teachers and School Staff 🍂
(Credits: Jalil Macatanong)
Before we impose punishment on students — especially for things like being late —
can we please ask “why” first?
Can we offer a chance to explain before we discipline?
Because today, something happened that broke my heart.
A classmate came to school late — 8:20 AM.
Per school policy, latecomers are required to clean the campus.
Without any questions, a faculty member from the guidance office told him to floor wax the ground floor hallway — under the heat of the morning sun.
No one asked if he had eaten.
No one asked if he was okay.
No one asked why he was late.
He hadn’t even had time to shower or eat breakfast — he was simply running late.
And yet, he spent 30 minutes waxing an area the size of two classrooms, dripping in sweat.
By the time he reached our classroom on the 3rd floor, he was soaked, weak, and eventually — he collapsed.
We rushed to help.
I gave him water — he drank three full cups.
We helped him change, tried to feed him, and then brought him to the infirmary.
And this is the part that hurts most.
He never told anyone at school, but…
He works after class.
He sells eco-bags in Cogon to help support his family.
He doesn’t get home until 10 PM.
He eats dinner at 11, does the dishes, and sleeps around 1 AM.
He wakes up at 5 AM to get ready for school.
That means… he runs on just 4–5 hours of sleep every single day.
He didn’t want to tell the school because he was afraid they’d think he was just making excuses.
But what he needed wasn’t punishment.
He needed compassion.
Understanding.
A simple, “Anak, okay ka lang ba?”
Dear teachers, we know discipline is part of learning.
But may we never forget:
Behind every tardy student is a story.
Behind every struggle is a reason.
Discipline with empathy.
Correct with care.
And above all, listen first.
Because sometimes, all a child needs is to be seen.
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