Thirteen Years in School

Yes it's true, I only spent thirteen years in school.

Some people start to go to school at 3 or 4 years old, in the preparatory school. But I started at 7, directly in the elementary, no pre-school for me.

Some goes to college with 5 to 10 years of studying, depending on their course. But what I took-up was a 3-year diploma course in Electronics Technology.

I remember the word, "mom, let me go to school now, it already started and I am not yet enrolled". My friends were already in school but that was about a week then, and I was yet to be enrolled. That's because dad had no money that time for my tuition fees.

My parents never spent so much for school needs. That's because I went to one school campus from 1st Grade up to 4th Year in high school.

The school is located just a few steps away from our house. I can go home for lunch. And parents never have to worry about the school service or for the jeepney fares. That's a lot of savings for them.

It made a lot of difference when I went to Manila to take the course. Though both of
them have jobs, their income were just as enough for the house budget and for my siblings who were left in the province. So they had difficult times to support my tuition fees, the dorm and my daily allowance.

But the years are over. I finished the course. And it's my turn to have a job, and work at my own.