There are, of course, exceptions but generally it is true that only the educated are free. Still, it is conceded that the only thing more expensive than education is ignorance, as if you didn’t know.

There are really a lot of things that can be said about education not only in this modern age and time but, in fact, even during the early centuries.

Today , education is perhaps the most important function of state and local government, said the late Chief Justice Earl Warren of the United States Supreme Court. That was enunciated in a decision written by the celebrated Chief Justice decades ago in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, but continues to resonate in today’s milieu -- everywhere.

And it is as if in response to that judicial affirmation about local government obligation that the Quezon City government the other day announced the grant of scholarship this year worth P42.5 million to at least 5,000 poor but deserving student in a local university.

In announcing the grants, Mayor Sonny Belmonte described them as a “foothold, the unlocking of the door towards a better life.”

It is a golden opportunity to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, he said.

He explained that the purpose of his administration’s scholarship program is to push graduates of the city’s public high school to pursue excellence in their field to be competitive both here in abroad in the employment field.

Noting the current interests of young graduates to join the migration of workers abroad, Mayor Belmonte said it is best that they be equipped with the needed skills to compete successfully in the global workplace.

If the government has to encourage that, he said we should prepare them for the challenges so that they are not disappointed when they come face to face with the realities of being foreign workers, otherwise they come home disappointed and feeling defeated.

The admonition is well taken.

It is observed that almost all of those who come home in disappointment do so because of problems in the workplace caused by the lack of understanding of a foreign country’s shared attitude and values, social norms and material traits and customary beliefs, among other cultural differences.

It is good that the government is looking assiduously after the youth’s welfare in the city, by encouraging them to take interest in vocational and technical courses that are in demand here as well as overseas.

But added to the skills that they acquire in free vocational schools, they should be made to understand other people’s culture.

Probably it is least known that the Quezon City government has so far provided study grants to some 10,885 students mostly enrolled at the Quezon City Polytechnic University.

Under the grants, which are provided under the university’s scholarship and youth development program each scholar is given a monthly stipend of P1,500 every semester.

An additional incentive of P2,500 is also given to students who obtain the highest academic grades during the semester.

It is possible that other local governments are likewise showing their concern for the country’s youths, as Chief Justice Earl Warren said they should, as their most important function in society. That the Quezon City administration under Mayor Sonny Belmonte is pursuing it through education is the best legacy it can leave not only to the city and its youths but to the country and society as a whole.

(zhern_218@yahoo.com)