University in the province or in Manila? :)

As part of the critical thinking skills lesson, our class had an informal debate on the topic, "Which is better, universities in the province, or universities in Manila?" personally chosen by majority of the students. It started with the Manila group laying down their reasons for choosing their stand, followed by the Province group's reasons. Each group was then given the chance to rebut the other group's arguments. The debate was a revelation. :) This activity showed how well-opinionated my students are. The last time I wrote here, I was complaining on my students' passiveness in class. But today's activity proved that they've got something to say,well, a lot to say. They just need some  push (or a harder one sometimes) to speak up. :)

Both groups laid down arguments from teachers to classroom to resources to university system. Of course their opinions are just based on how they see universities here and in Manila. And at the end of the debate, I tried to share my opinions on the issue, as someone who experienced studying in Manila and teaching in the province. Most of the Manila group members chose Manila because of their complaints as students (for one year) in the province (well, particularly in our university):

- isang sem na nauupo sa sahig dahil ayaw ipagamit ng teacher ang upuan (what the? when I heard about this, i couldn't believe it)

-Oral Comm instructor na nagtuturo ng Biology, at English instructor na nagtuturo ng Intro to Computer who, when asked a question about the lesson, says "naku,hindi ko din alam,eh,itatanong natin".. (Didn't know this either though I knew that some of us are really given teaching loads that are not in line with our area of specialization)

- instructors na 2 buwan an ang nakalipas ay hindi pa sumisipot sa klase, at instructors na 4 na beses lang sumipot sa klase sa loob ng isang sem

- instructors na hindi naman board passer na nagtuturo ng subjects na dapat ay board passer ang nagtuturo

- books na nirerequire bilhin dahil author ang instructor

- mainit na classroom (thinking na nasa tabing dagat kami at sira ang mga electric fans!)

 - laging out of order na cr

There are more actually. But the thing is,what these students don't know is that universities in Manila have the same issues. Some maybe are even worse. Well, the Province group, I believe presented their arguments, being satisfied with their one year experience in the university. But what really struck me was one argument: 


-"Ang mga studyante sa Maynila, halimbawa sa UP, rally na lang ng rally, lagi na lang against sa system."

Haha! I know that most people really see UP students this way. Well, that's their opinion anyway. :) (I have written some of my thoughts about that.)

Well, I am so happy that this activity was a success. :)