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NSTP GRADUATION SPEECH
By ROY S. CAPANGPANGAN SHS Teacher II
Theme: “Education for Peace, Quality of Life and Legacy”
Four years ago, I was in the same position as you. Two dominating feelings I felt. First, I was ecstatic…because after long years of struggles and unending challenges, finally, I was able to get hold on the document that testifies the sacrifices I have had. Second, fear—I was succumbed by a sheer fear. Fear of uncertainty and doubt.
To our supportive college administrator, Dr. Gundelina B. Obias; our dymanic and competent college dean, Dr. Editha A. Lodado; NSTP Professors, completers, and friends, ladies and gentlemen---good morning!
Some of you are having the same emotion as I did years past. But, whatever the emotion you have right now, you are just right to feel that way. You will be happy and grateful upon finishing your baccalaureate degree here because somehow receiving education is the most valuable tool for you to thrive and sustain the life here in this competitive and ever- changing world that we live in.
However, receiving a degree is not an ultimate end. The product of educating oneself is learning. Learning on how things works, learning on how to device new ways, learning on how to seek solution to a problem, learning on how to deal with new people and environment, learning to craft workable policies that promotes peace and order among people living in a society, and learning to seek for the better version of yourself, for the continuous improvement of yourself. Young would-be teachers, learning is the offshoot of education.
Many contend that education imparts knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that are important for the social, economic and political development for any country. This role is well articulated in Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.
Moreover, the objective of SDG 4.7 is to ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
Moreover, education has been touted as one of the most powerful tools we can implement in our global efforts to promote world peace. Here is a look at the 10 ways where education promotes world peace as cited by Central Asia Institute: 1 Education Boosts Confidence & Hope Confucius said it as far back as 500 B.C.: “Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.” Confidence has been defined as the belief that you can succeed at something and a sense of self-assuredness. Knowledge is a key confidence builder; it allows one to feel a sense of accomplishment, to be more fearless, and to grow in unexpected ways. This confidence and self-assuredness in turn sparks motivation and optimism—or hope as Confucius says— to work towards peace.
2 Education Promotes Independent Thinking
Education encourages independent thinking, and it opens doors to new ideas. Independent thinkers tend to try to make sense of the world and draw their own conclusions instead of blindly following the beliefs of others. Independent thinkers may be less likely to join militant groups or be followers and may instead be leaders towards positive change and action.
3 Education Inspires Problem Solving Skills
Along with math skills that are learned in classrooms, you are often challenged to use logical thinking in order to analyze different pieces of literature, the significance of historical events, and scientific findings. Coupled with independent thinking, these critical thinking skills can lead to innovative solutions and alternatives to violence.
4 Education Builds Communication Skills
In the classroom, you are often asked to speak or read in front of others, offer opinions, and break into small groups to work on projects together. This is how communication skills are honed, and communication is the key to solving conflict. Through quality education, you may be armed with the tools to work within your communities to solve problems, or to do so on a global scale. 5 Education Opens Doors There’s no doubt that education (for peace) leads to career enhancement, employment opportunities, and chances of higher earnings. What was once out of reach for young men and women in the remote villages—say becoming a doctor or a lawyer—are now possibilities. And with these careers in place, many come back to work within their communities and support their families, often promoting peace.
6 Education Reduces Poverty
Imagine always being uncomfortable, malnourished, and fearful, not knowing where your next meal will come from if it comes at all. This fear can often lead to anger, and anger to violence. Education, especially when it’s combined with technical training has been proven to reduce poverty. This is one driving force behind education for peace. With education comes knowledge, power, safety, security, and peace. One study by UNESCO found that income around the world would be 23 percent higher per capita in countries with education for all. If poverty were reduced, violence would follow suit.
7 Education Increases Political Involvement
Educated citizens are less likely to stand for government corruption and can spur more government accountability. For women, education can even the playing field, and they are more likely to participate in political discussions, town meetings, and decision making, therefore leading to a government that represents its citizens more equally. Because educated women are less likely to support terrorism (see number 8), they can promote alternatives through politics.
8 Education Reduces Support of Terrorism & Militancy
According to a University of Maryland School of Public Policy survey, uneducated women are more likely to support militancy and terrorism, and educated women are less likely than their educated male peers to support this way of life. And if a woman doesn’t support it, perhaps she can talk her husband into not supporting it, and then her kids, other family members, and other members of her community.
9 Education Builds Empathy & Tolerance
The Human Rights conventions declare: “Education must prepare a child for responsible life and effective participation in a free society in a spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality of sexes and friendships among all peoples, ethnic, national and religious groups and persons of indigenous origin.” Therefore, with quality education, a child can learn the quality of empathy and understanding towards those who are different from them. And they may be more accepting of others and less likely to solve problems with violence.
10 Education Cultivates Respect
In the classroom, you learn to respect your teachers and your peers. You are taught to let others speak and express opinions, not to interrupt, how to deal with stress, and how to conduct yourselves within a group setting. Perhaps, this learned respect for other humans can be practiced on a global scale, where there’s a respect for each life, not just those who share the same religious beliefs and backgrounds.
Now, through quality education for all around the world and by promoting education for peace, you can be the voice of change and peace. Let there peace on earth, and let it begin with you.
In case some of these I mentioned already manifested in you, you must ask yourself. What I have done significantly for others? I am talking about the legacy, the labyrinth, the marks that imprinted to the hearts and minds of people you have touched and contacted with.
As an NSTP completers, you may have left a legacy through programs and projects you initiated in a different component you have chosen. For Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), you may contribute to the general welfare and betterment of life of the members of the community you covered especially those who developed to improve social welfare services. And for Literacy Training Service (LTS), you left a legacy to the schoolchildren and out-of-school youths the hope to continue learning despite of the circumstances they are facing.
Above all these remarkable legacies, another legacy that you are to leave is the relationship you built among your peers and among the people outside the four corners of this campus.
Completers, as you take the document that certifies that you are satisfactorily completed the requirements set for this program, I am positive that the ethics of service and patriotism was instilled in you enough for you to press on, continue to become the light that transpires peace to the community you will be in, and strive harder to attain the quality of life that you wish to have. My warmest congratulations to all you!
