PNoy to students: Choose books over Facebook, Clash of Clans

TARLAC CITY — President Benigno Aquino III on Friday advised Filipino students to prioritize their education over social media sites and online games.

 

In a speech after inaugurating a new school building here, Aquino encouraged students from the Tarlac National High School to value his government’s efforts to improve the country’s educational system. 

 

“Unahin ninyo ang pagbubuklat ng aklat bago ang pagbubukas ng Facebook. Tapusin muna ang mga takdang-aralin bago ang raid sa Clash of Clans,” the President said, drawing laughter from the audience.

 

“Marahil, ilang beses niyo na itong narinig mula sa inyong mga magulang, pero ito naman ang galing sa Pangulo ng Pilipinas: Mag-aral po kayo sana nang mabuti. Nariyan na ang lahat ng suporta, pero hindi naman puwedeng ako ang matuto para sa inyo,” he added.

 

Aquino also boasted of his administration’s gains in the education sector. He said his presidency managed to wipe out textbook and classroom backlogs.

 

The President likewise took a swipe at the previous administration, which supposedly addressed the shortage in classrooms by cutting class hours.

 

“Nagawa nating lampasan ang mga napakalaking hamon sa sektor ng edukasyon nang hindi umaasa sa anumang gimik, at lalong hindi sa magic,” Aquino said.

 

He further enjoined the students to always choose the right leader for the country.

 

“Hindi naman siguro kalabisang sabihin na mas malayo pa ang kaya ninyong marating. Magagawa niyo ito hindi lamang sa pamamagitan ng pagpili ng karapat-dapat na pinuno,” Aquino said.

 

Last December, the President also appealed to the youth to be involved in government instead of spending too much time on fads in the Internet age.

 

A government census in 2010 showed that three in every ten Filipinos are below 15 years old, which means that the country has a young population.
 

The same census showed that in 2010, half of the household population was younger than 23 years old. —KG, GMA News