Campus politics as an opportunity for educating voters

Campus politics as an opportunity for educating voters


Inquirer
First Posted 02:43am (Mla time) 06/20/2007

Filed Under: Politics, Elections

Not surprisingly, the May 14 elections have been attended with allegations of fraud. Which of our elections in the past had none anyway? Cheating, vote-buying, mudslinging and all sorts of electoral chicanery have always marred every election in our country, thus thwarting the sovereign will in many instances, too many for comfort.

But this is not a hopeless situation. We can correct it, and let us begin by educating our people about clean and honest elections. Let us start with our school and campus politics.

With the advent of a new school year, our students will soon be electing their classroom and campus officers. This is a most opportune time to introduce them to clean politics. Well-meaning teachers can guide students to shy away from dirty campaign tactics and the unprincipled ways of traditional politicians. Campus politics should be a training ground for student leaders who, in the future, might want to serve our country as public officials.

Lastly, I suggest that the Local Government Code of 1991 be included on the list of mandated school subjects, just like the Constitution is now. This will make would-be leaders of our country understand the immense work and responsibility that come with being elected as a public official

REGINALD B. TAMAYO, member, Sangguniang Bayan, Aparri, Cagayan