The lighting of a fire

CELEBRATING World Teachers’ Day (October 5).

Emilio Jacinto, in the Kartilla of the Katipunan, defined kalayaan (freedom) as equality brought about by the development of katuwiran (reason), which impels the human person to love and serve humankind and to hate and fight tyranny. Education, in the understanding of the Katipunan, must play a decisive role in the continuing transformation of society in which everyone can have the freedom and opportunity to create knowledge from his or her own personal history, take an active role in the continuing transformation of society, and use this knowledge for productive ends intended for the common good. Freedom and control of the inner self that comes from reason is the primary aim of education.