Changing Times, Changing Values?
“What the ****! What are they doing at our table?”
When students from the younger levels see their achis and ahias sitting at “their table” for lunch, they can often be heard uttering variations of these words. Several years ago, this behavior was simply unheard of. Young New Lifers would simply scoot over to make space rather than make their older schoolmates look for a different seat in the cafeteria. It seems that, along with the changing times, the values and attitudes of students today have also changed.
In light of this, it is crucial that the core Christian values of our school are not compromised in favor of today’s trends and culture among the youth. Thus, it is more important than ever for parents, teachers, and older students to carefully guide young New Lifers and act as good role models for them to look up to as they grow up.
The dynamics of the school community undeniably changed due to the pandemic. The online learning setup kept students confined to their respective classes and groups of friends, resulting in a lack of social interaction between batches. For two years, students did not have the avenue to interact with other batches, hindering the development of essential life skills such as effective communication and interpersonal interaction. This was ultimately carried over to the resumption of the face-to-face setup. An MGC New Life Christian Academy teacher shared, “Before the pandemic, the students would interact with their teachers and other schoolmates. However, during the pandemic, students were cut off from their peers and teachers, potentially developing negative behaviors.”
It seems that the two years of online learning stunted the emotional development of students. According to a survey conducted by EducationWeek, children are struggling with their social activities and their emotions as a result of the pandemic. Compared to pre-pandemic times, there is a noticeable decline in the average social skills and emotional maturity levels of students. A study by ScienceNews revealed around a decade’s worth of personality change among young adults, deviating from the expected trajectory, and all within the span of only three years.
The implementation of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP) may have heightened this divide among students by separating the activities of the lower and primary years students and those of high school students. Unlike pre-pandemic times, there are barely any overlaps in activities between the younger and older students, limiting opportunities for them to bond and make school-wide connections. In the past, students from the older batches could mentor and model how things should be done during interactions in the hallways or during school activities. However, such opportunities have significantly been reduced. Consequently, young students now tend to treat anyone they come across–regardless of age–as equals, unintentionally withholding the proper respect and courtesy that is normally given.
Moreover, the constant use of gadgets and exposure to social media and social trends also significantly affect the values and responses of the younger generation, possibly even fostering a culture of disrespect. In a Time Magazine article, psychiatrist Bernard Golden explains that perceived protection screens provide emboldened people to say whatever they want to say. Golden noted that this lack of filter seemed to have carried over to real life–ultimately coming off as rude and overly candid. It is important to note that there is a fine line between expressing oneself and being disrespectful. While discourse is vital to society’s development, it should never come at the expense of someone’s dignity just because.
Though times have changed, the character and values the school is built on should remain constant. From the time we first entered MGCNLCA to when we say goodbye, our teachers have never failed to remind us to strive for character and strive for excellence. However, it is unfortunate that students now seem to no longer fully grasp the school’s mantra, forgetting the core values and principles every New Lifer must possess.
As the school community embarks on a new era for MGCNLCA, it is crucial that we take proactive measures to ensure that the next generation of students continue to uphold and embody the character and excellence of a New Lifer, just as our own achis and ahias did before us.
