Simple Plan

I was checking the quizzes of my students the other day.

In one class, I "discovered" that at least 5 were cheating. I gave them automatic zeroes.

I already returned the papers to them. Only one approached me and said that, although he was sorry and he accepts the fact that he got a grade of zero, he said that "nalibat lang" since he was not yet finished with the quiz and time was almost up. I told him that "3" is different from "2".

The thing is I try to prepare at least 2 sets of quizzes for my classes (I have even tried 3 sets). Sometimes I just change the sequence of the questions. Sometimes I make the true or false as Part I but Part II in the other set. At times, I change some figures - and this is when I usually catch them cheating.

So far, I had only two students who approached after I gave them the results of their quiz. The others never said anything and they just made "bawi" on the next exam or quiz. Some passed the subject while some did not.

Why would people do things which they already know are bad? Why is it that teachers need to prepare 2 sets of quizzes just to discourage students from cheating? Why wouldn't students just be honest because it is the right thing to do?

The same goes for the rest of the public.

The other day while riding the jeepney, a passenger said "para". And the driver replied, "sa unahan lang kay nay camera". Apparently, he is afraid that if he will unload passengers in the prohibited area, the CCTV will be able to record it and voila, he will be held liable.

But why wouldn't he just unload the passenger at the proper place, with or without the presence of the CCTV?

Same goes for these overpass and barriers. The government spends so much for these overpass so pedestrians would not just sprint on any part of the street. In addition, we also have these islands with barricades to deter pedestrians from crossing just anywhere.

Why can't people just cross on the pedestrian lane or use the overpass? Can they not get the point that it is for their safety after all?

I guess I can sum it up this way ..

Do good because it is good in itself - not because we are waiting for some reward or because we are afraid of the consequences if we do otherwise.

Avoid doing bad thing because it is not right.

I hope it is that simple. I could only hope.