School safety should not end at the school gate.   For years, discussions about keeping students safe have focused mainly on physical security: guards, fences, emergency drills, security cameras, and controlled entrances. These measures remain important, but they are no longer enough. Students now spend a significant part of their lives in digital spaces, and schools must recognize that what happens online can affect what happens in the classroom.   The Department of Education's planned School Digital Safety Campaign is a step toward addressing this reality. The campaign will provide learners, parents, and teachers with guidance on cyberbullying, online harassment,...

For thousands of Filipino students, passing an entrance or licensure examination can determine what comes next: admission to a university, a professional license, a first job, or even a new career. Behind this high-stakes process is a growing industry that deserves attention as part of the country’s education and business landscape.   Review centers are known to support examinees preparing for the UPCAT, professional licensure examinations, and the Bar. Yet the industry's place in the regulatory framework remains unclear.   Simply because their services are connected to education does not mean that they are degree-granting institutions. As discussed in a...

For centuries, the world has seen drastic developments and out-of-this-world innovations. Things have become so accessible that people can now snap their fingers to bring solutions to almost any need. Yet, these innovations have brought a lasting effect that, upon reflection, has pushed our supposedly advanced outlook backward. This is not because we have decided to ignore the roots of our dilemmas, but seemingly because, in the most Filipino way, being challenged or weak is viewed as a liability—a price that one simply cannot afford to pay.   In Filipino culture, where one is expected to be prim and proper...

Ever remember when people needed to search for information and had to work hard for it? They went to libraries, consulted credible sources, and conducted thorough research despite the lack of resources. Then came search engines like Google, which seemed to have almost everything. It became a big hit, especially among students, because school became easier.   This went on for years. However, when the pandemic hit, Artificial Intelligence was introduced. People saw how easy it was to ask AI to do something for them. At a time when everyone had plenty of time but was easily distracted, many turned...

Social media has changed the way people view relationships, and not always for the better. What used to be considered a healthy and meaningful relationship can now feel inadequate when compared to the carefully curated relationships displayed online. From extravagant dates and surprise gifts to constant public displays of affection, social media has created expectations that can make ordinary relationships seem like they are somehow falling short.    With that, the ideal bare-minimum standards became confusing as influencers made it seem like some efforts are not enough, brainwashing some individuals into thinking that their partner is not making enough effort...