Students Should Remind Their Student Leaders

When a contestant in an extemporaneous speech was asked on her opinion if the semester would be extended, the raucous audience froze for a second contemplating the suspense clouded in the contentious scene.

Earlier, when I was hurled with the same question in the school canteen, I said no, to the satisfaction of those expecting ears as I anticipated.

Obviously, the contestant answered no, she was not in favor of extending the semester because according to her it’s her right to see that her school days ended with no extension – much to the holler of the students and to the dry smiles of the school administrators.

But as I saw it, like the “no” answers from the other students like me, the much applauded response had diverted the students from seeing the true intention of the school to minding that the semester break should end as they projected.   

The decision of the school to extend the semester is due to the fact that the province was devastated by the flood that left us in the “Stone Age” for almost two months last year. Our class was stopped until after a month. Because of these reasons, the school administrators had planned to extend the semester for a week or two.

I think the plan was reasonable. It is their responsibility as a prestigious academic institution to serve for the interests of the students.  Likewise, it is also their duty to see to it that rights and welfare of the stakeholders be preserved.

A month-long hiatus served by Frank has ruined even our anticipation for the two-week semester break. But of course, if the students prefer the “no-extension” stance, we will be caught short-changed for the high tuition fees we are paying.

Evidently, the much talked “no” fuss is an offshoot of the lack of leadership and insights among student leaders to clear the issue and muster its efforts to reach the students. The elected student leaders are the official representatives to the school administrators which in turn are obliged to impart to us the latter plans and programs. The students are running blind against the wall on such questionable issues if they were not properly informed. Like the “Don’t enter jelly shoes” concern arbitrarily posted by the school administrators that resulted to a long queue of surprised students before the gate.

It doesn’t mean that I’m inciting the students to take away the trust to our honorable student leaders, but I suggest that the students should be vigilant because there is a need to push the style of work of the student leaders a notch higher to be not at the tail of the events.

Rather than make that particular contestant the subject of ostracism because she publicly said no, the students should consider the roles of the student leaders in making their positions more accountable to the students and the school.

At this point in time, the students could not allow the student leaders to stagnate from deficient style of leadership. What if they are going to be the next mayor, governor or even the President of the Republic of the Philippines? What if? The students should remind them of their obligations to them apart from their obligations to their studies.

As I have gathered, the proper context to evaluate the student leaders is not on their ardent support and passionate presence in all school-sponsored activities but on their efforts to vehicle the whole student body through tangible-termed programs into one community- Pro Deo et Patria. Thus, leadership skills and indispensable experiences in the field should not be held back only for themselves.  

As we go back to the contest, why did she answer no? The contestant never even scratched the essence of the subject, and because, the safest answer is no, for audience impact, and because all of us had allow it.