In light of the heated Corona impeachment proceedings, should participation be left in the hands of politicians and lawyers only? Definitely not according to students of Manuel. A. Roxas High school.

Prepped by what their teacher called a “special lesson” on the Corona impeachment case, the students yesterday learned concepts of social justice and accountability through a classroom discussion and live viewing of the Senate proceedings, analysis of the political landscape, and planning of their engagement on the issue.

According to Araling Panlipunan teacher Mabelle Caboboy, “Special lessons on the impeachment process benefit the students because they become aware of goings-on in the country. Discussing this timely issue will help them realize their historical role in creating a better society. Concepts of justice and accountability should be introduced to our youth at an early age in order to empower them. Through these discussions, teachers like myself are able to embolden our youth to be responsible and principled members of society.”

For his part, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raymond “Mong” Palatino said “The youth’s participation in the impeachment process should be encouraged because the country’s future is theirs to inherit. The youth must be motivated to be active shapers of a government that is subservient to the rights and welfare of the people, not to the ruling elite. Nation-building is propelled when the youth stand up in the name of genuine social change.”

Activities of the special lesson on the impeachment included: Live TV viewing of impeachment process followed by a discussion and analysis, legal vocabulary building, real-time updating in social networking sites, freedom wall writing, and other exercises like identification of the parts of a SALN form.

The event, initiated by Kabataan Party-list and youth impeachment watchdog alliance “#i-monitor”, is the first among a series of discussions which the groups will hold in various schools and communities in the country. ###