The most neglected sector of society is that composed of children two to six years old, the preponderant majority of whom come from poor families. With their parents often busy with odd jobs to feed their families, these children are left alone to care for themselves. During fair weather mornings and afternoons, most of them can be seen idling by themselves on the streets and vacant spaces in barangays all over the country.
There is no program or pronounced policy of the government addressed to the needs of these youngest citizens of the country. The present day-care centers and feeding programs are inadequate and do not provide for the mental and physical growth and development of these children.
There should be program which will channel the waking hours of these children along healthy avenues.
Starting at 8 in the morning, for instance, the kids should be herded to the church to be taught about God and human values. Around 10, they should be learning how to read, write, and count. At 3 p.m., after lunch and two-hour rest and sleep, the children will be in the hands of physical instructors who will coach them in their favorite sports or participate in calisthenics.
Most parents hold the view that children less than six years old do not need to undergo early education since they are not yet receptive to lessons, ideas and beliefs. They believe the children should be at least young adults before they can be told about the birds and the bees.
Psychologists and social scientists point out, however, that children from two to six years old are at their most impressionable ages. They claim that these children are at their most inquisitive, alert and absorptive mental state, adding that it is at these ages that they quickly learn and retain knowledge. According to them, young minds are receptive to stimulating voices or images.
The government seems indifferent to initiate a formal program for this youngest generation of citizens perhaps because this will entail additional financial requirements or simply because it is not necessary or imperative at the moment.
Yet, an early education program for these youngsters can be feasible and inexpensive if undertaken on a voluntary basis. There are many senior citizens, young men and women, and middle-age professionals and civic citizens who will be willing to spend just one hour, every week, to take turns in voluntarily teaching these lovable young children. There will be enough available and willing volunteers for this kind of laudable and missionary undertaking.
This program can be under the direct supervision and management of the barangay officials, most of whom are busy anyway. The barangay kagawads and staff would draw the daily program, set the schedule of the volunteers, and provide the logistics and requirements. The barangay share of the annual tax allotments for local governments could be used for this. Most of the more well-to-do families and the parents of these children will be glad to contribute to the budget.
Why the government has no mandatory program for this group is unforgivable, a criminal sin. The Constitution provides specific directives for the special care of senior citizens, the disabled and infirm, the laboring class, and other sectors of society but has no provision addressed to the youngest citizens.
Only the rich and middle-income families can afford to send their children to kindergarten and early education centers. The children of the impoverished and underprivileged families are left to fend for themselves. Many of them become petty thieves, unruly street children, and drug dependents.
Our failure to nurture and inculcate values to our children at their most fertile state of mental development is a heinous crime for which we should all be held liable and indicted.
Mr. Banawis is a former general manager of the Philippine Information Agency and is a veteran advertising and public relations executive.