TACLOBAN CITY- A two-day symposium on “nurturing students with great love” was spearheaded by the Taiwan-based Tzu Chi Foundation held last November 30 attended by 2,000 public school teachers.
The activity was in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd)-Leyte and Tacloban divisions with the participating teachers getting new insights on how to deal with their students particularly after the region was devastated by last year’s supertyphoon “Yolanda.”
“The close connection between teachers, students and parents is significant to the success of the children in school. Love is powerful. Let us continue the circle of love and kindness,” urged Lim Kim Choy, retired school head master from Malaysia who first lectured on the teaching techniques of Jing Si (Still Thoughts) Aphorisms. “Kindness keeps the world afloat,” Choy said, adding that “like a star, teacher gives direction.”
He maintained that education of the students should be comprehensive, from humanitarian to personality and practical to life education. Jing Si lessons are based from the teaching of Master Cheng Yen, founder of the Tzu Chi Foundation, as a positive guide to creating society filled with loving kindness. “The measure of our life lies not in its longevity but in the awareness and vigor which we contribute to humanity,” said Choy, repeating the lessons of the Tzu Chi master. A talk on “Co-exist with Mother Earth” was also delivered, emphasizing on preserving and protecting the environment.
Marissa German, a high school teacher from Palo, Leyte, expressed her thanks to the Tzu Chi for organizing the event, saying the topics were “very timely especially that we still have many students who are not yet able to cope up with the Yolanda tragedy.” “This helps teachers to become better in their profession, so they can inspire their students more,” she added. Conchita Tan, a Tzu Chi volunteer from Manila, said that the event is part of the holistic approach to their recovery efforts after Yolanda. Tzu Chi Foundation, among other international humanitarian organizations helping in the post-Yolanda recovery in Tacloban, is largely recognized by the locals for its well-coordinated relief and rehabilitation efforts in the devastated communities. (RONALD O. REYES)
