The traditional pedagogical structure of the Philippine academe heavily puts emphasis on theoretical learning- leaning towards the credence that learners need to know the book in order to discover life. This has been effective in the past and continues to be relevant today. However, with the changing era, evolving learners, and progressive demands in the society, call for a more germane approach for the educational system to keep up with the flow of modern times.
Hence, the integration of sports in the school curricula took place. Finding equilibrium in the battle array of erudition and putting into sense the theories learned in the classroom, sports plays a pivotal role in this knowledge-application interplay. It transforms the four- corners of the classroom into a field of specialized skills. It makes an Albert Einstein into a Manny Pacquiao. Ultimately, it puts balance into the tilted scale of education- a learner vis-a-vis an athlete.
Heeding the deafening cry for academic reform, Palarong Bikol came into being. An annual sporting event among pupils and students coming from different provinces and cities in the Bicol region. It is not only about games. Rather, it is a showcase of skills, attitude, values and best practices of every division. Furthermore, sporting events train every athlete for self-confidence, leadership and discipline. For without these basic values, one will not be successful.
Establishing the raison d’etre of sports in the academe, comes now the focal concern- the implementation of this ideology.
Basic is the principle that what makes a community is the family consisting it. In the same manner, the strength of a division is the schools that compose it. Therefore, it is but only logical that the enactment of sports integration should be intensified from the very basic unit- the school. The curriculum is explicit, the trainings and programs are existing, and the pool of athletes and trainors are profuse, but the application is futile.
A careful perusal of the past events reflect that the pursuit of gold can only be had had there been early preparation. Commencing with the timely selection of prospective athletes, to their consistent trainings, and regular monitoring, not of attendance but of performance. Perhaps, this is a manifestation of a smudged view in the key role of sports in learning.
Sports as an integral part in the department’s curriculum for quite a while now seems to have been taken for granted. Aside from the conduct of lower and higher meets, the consistency in program implementation and the reformation of such programs to adopt to the current situation have not been implemented- an indicia that sports is indeed neglected.
Moreover, while some parents may not be so supportive of their children in joining sports competition, schools do not take a stride to change such belief. The reform in the academic perspective can only be efficacious if the school and the community jointly toddle forward towards the quest of academic reform through sports.
In order for this dogma to stand amidst the course of 21st century, a change in academic perspective is indispensable in THE PURSUIT OF PALARO GOLD.
Published and Owned by: Sofronio D. Arizala Jr.- Principal I
