Above anyone else, it is the parents' responsibility to educate their children

I HAD this rare opportunity to speak before school parents, as I am usually invited to talk on legal matters before students, teachers and school administrators. Last Saturday, I was invited by the Don Bosco Academy of Pampanga to conduct a learning session with their basic education parents. At first, I expected that listening to a session such as mine would be quite a stretch for the parents, as I would too if I were attending such an activity for my own schoolboys. It's a Saturday and a rest day for most parents. I remember attending a forum for my sons in their school and all I could think of the whole time was that hotdog being sold in the hallway outside, and I can't wait for the forum to end. But thankfully, the Bosconian parents were very attentive throughout my whole lecture, and some were kind enough to get a copy of my latest book, "Philippine Education Law," and had me sign a few after the forum.

Our Constitution places child-rearing as the primary right and duty of the parents. Child-rearing or parental authority necessarily includes the duty of the parents to educate and discipline children. The word "primary" connotes the superior right of the parents over the government and the schools in rearing their own children. The government merely assumes a supportive role for parents to perform their duty. In fact, even while public education is free, and all levels of basic education are now compulsory for all children of school age, the Constitution declares that this is "without limiting the right of parents to rear their children." While basic education is compulsory, there is no sanction for non-compliance of parents, only moral compulsion. Also, at the end of the day, while government makes education accessible to all, it is the parents' choice as to the kind of education they want for their children, whether in a public or private school, including the type of delivery whether formal or informal, alternative learning, or online or in-person.