WHILE it is appalling to see a supposed avenue for learning ripped off despite its advantageous potential for the next generation, looking at some reasons why such happening would probably appease this turmoil of regret. This is the case for the Musmos Daycare Center in Tondo.
Heavily shouldered by its owner, Armando Ducat, Jr., who declared the school’s operational spending between P500,000 and P700,000 per annum for salaries and school supplies, the pre-school has served free education in the depressed area of the Parola Compound. However, this noble cause had been stained with the alarming incident of Ducat staging a hostage drama involving his pupils in 2007. He served two years in the correctional for his mischief before he was bailed out last December.
In a Philippine Daily Inquirer report regarding the graduation ceremony of Musmos Daycare Center last March, Ducat expressed that he already had the vision that this year’s batch may be the last to graduate from his pre-school.
“In my two years in jail, I was deeply affected [financially]. I lost millions [of pesos] in my desire to give, in my hope of making the government aware of the dire state of education,” Ducat said according to the report.
But then again, how many times have it been pointed out that the end does not justify the means!
In spite of reports having Ducat as a modern-day “hero” in Tondo – that many idolize him for his efforts in providing for the less fortunate – he should have that sensibility to foresee the possible effects of his actions to the ones he says he care for. No doubt that giving education for free reflects a dignified cause toward an aspiration for development. Something so revered as molding the youth can never be compromised with an outburst of emotion resulting to ghastly exploits. What paradigm can these students follow when what they witness are mere uncalled-for feats? It would be too dire to look at a multiplied number of Robin Hoods.
Although that step Ducat took that morning of March 28, 2007 falls short of lauds, his reason behind his drama cannot be ignored. True enough, for as long as there exist substandard educational equipment such as fictional history and science textbooks used by pseudo-tutors, and the likes, it can never be guaranteed that this kind of occurrence that Ducat embarked on will not happen again.
Hopefully, having one of the most traumatic experiences, these youth and their parents, teachers, and Ducat as well should have already realized that education does not entail risking lives to achieve its goals.
Now, Ducat pleads for some help in order to continue his legacy for the daycare center, hoping that “someone would be kind enough to give.”
As of late, it would be a think-twice (or even more) decision to accommodate such plea especially with the record of misjudgment on the part of Ducat. To give second chances is noble but not all the time.
