Bicol University

GRADUATE SCHOOL
st
1 Semester, 2017-2018
Bicol University
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Legazpi City
st
1 Semester, 2017-2018
Reading the Past, Writing the Future: A Reflection
By Katrin B. Lutao, MAEngEd

As a language teacher and educator, literacy is always a subject of my

interest. Around the world, literacy is one thing that parents want for their children.
In the Philippines, knowing how to read and write is a requirement for running a post
in the government service. In this 21st century world with bytes of information, literacy
is already a basic need.
This 2017 UNESCO Publication highlights some of the good initiatives of fifty
countries around the globe towards literacy. To name one, I was impressed with one
practice which is Pakistans Non-Formal Literacy Education Programme. It benefited a
good number of out-of-school youth, children and adult. It was also remarkable that
as an impact of the programme is ...a culture of intergenerational and lifelong
learning by changing peoples perceptions about the importance of education in
everyday life. In our context, I remember some Filipino parents who dont want to Katrin Lutao is a Senior High
School Teacher II at a DepEd
send their children to school saying that they wont need them because they will just
school in Polangui, Albay. She
be farmers just like them who do hard labour. I cant also blame these parents finished her Bachelor in
because another reason is they do not have the financial capacity to send them to Secondary Education major in
English at Bicol University,
school. Thats why I believe our government should reach out to these local
Daraga, Albay in 2015. She is
communities and change their perceptions. They must let them see the value of currently taking her Master of
education and how it can even help in their livelihood. Arts in English Education at BU
Graduate School, Legazpi City.
I was also fascinated with how the Sustainable Development Goals where
aligned with literacy. Literacy here served not just as a stand-alone skill but
something that is broad and multifaceted. It an enabling factor in so many aspects of Reference:
everyday living in the society such as socio-economic development, health and Reading the Past, Writing the
nutrition, gender equality, employment and lifelong learning. Future. UNESCO (2017)
 Bicol University
GRADUATE SCHOOL
st
1 Semester, 2017-2018
Bicol University
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Legazpi City
st
1 Semester, 2017-2018
It is enlightening that there are many parts in the world who share the same
advocacy and passion of making the world a better place through the help of
education. Since I am a teacher in public school, it is a moral responsibility that I take
the initiative in promoting literacy by first starting on my classroom-based practices.
I should take actions regarding those cases of students who are possibly struggling
readers. In the school, I should start with small projects which support literacy
among students. In my own little ways, I know I can make a difference to some. And
those some will make the difference to the world.

The truth is, I was hoping in my heart that in the future which will be written;
and in the next UNESCO Publication on literacy and education, I will be able to see the
name of our country as one with the world in doubling its efforts in improving the
quality of education for all.

Katrin Lutao is a Senior High

School Teacher II at a DepEd
school in Polangui, Albay. She
finished her Bachelor in
Secondary Education major in
English at Bicol University,
Daraga, Albay in 2015. She is
currently taking her Master of
Arts in English Education at BU
Graduate School, Legazpi City.

Reference:

Reading the Past, Writing the

Future. UNESCO (2017)