The HUMSS strand should not be taken lightly
Ever since the Senior High School program of K-12 Curriculum was implemented in 2016, the HUMSS (Humanities and Social Sciences) is seen as an “inferior” strand. It has also been debated all over social media for quite some time up until today. But what makes it different from other strands? What do HUMSS have that other people see on why they label it as an “inferior” strand? What do students, in general, think of when they hear the acronym HUMSS?
The HUMSS strand is primarily designed for those who are curious minded and who wonder what is on the other side of the wall. In other words, people who choose this strand are aspiring to become the future shapers of this nation that will build progress and deal with a lot of people with different diversities and various aspects of life. Instead of memorizing mathematical formulas and endless scientific terms, HUMSS students are made to think creatively by creating and submitting carefully worded outputs such as news articles, and other literary writing pieces. Such processes and activity allow the students to hone their competency skills as creative and critical thinkers — a vital aspect of a person in the 21st century. It may not sound as rigorous as it is but, The HUMSS strand should not be taken lightly.
Students from different strands continue to speculate rumors regarding to the level of thinking and academic capabilities of the students from this strand. They have viewed the students from this strand as not necessarily the most academically inclined student, and or are students who focus more on the arts than traditional academic subjects. They have perceived that the HUMSS students are just good at communicating and dealing with people or arguing different societal issues. Some of them think that this students are too proud and conceited on how they will be in the future.
The HUMSS strand is completely familiar with these harsh criticism. Many phrases are tossed around when discussing about this strand, some more insulting than others such as “walang kwenta” “basic” “pabibo” etc. The most common, yet it is probably the most annoying point of view, is that studying Humanities and Social Sciences means you’ll end up poor. While these rumors maybe true to a certain degree, they certainly imply pressure towards the current and future HUMSS student that they must be all competitive and must excel in their chosen field of learning. These words could not only disturb, or even hinder, the current HUMSS student from doing their best by shouldering their responsibility. Thus, it can also discourage the future Senior High School students from choosing the strand, in fear of the pressure they will receive.
Humanities and Social Sciences deals with studying the diversity of human behavior and interaction in social, cultural, environmental, economic and political contexts. Spending a lot of time just to analyze literary pieces and decoding symbols. Creating a unique story from their creative and playful imagination. They write so often sometimes, that they become tired of their own words. Visualizing things others eye can’t see. They paint colors using only black ink as they see those words forming into constellations. But people still classifies this strand as “basic”. As it is, stigmatizing is still a common occurrence.
Strand shaming is not a new trend. Despite efforts to put an end to it once and for all, some habits are hard to kill. Arguing which strand should be the best and competent among the others. These students are continually struggling under the opinion of others. These students give so much patience and understanding those people who still continue to give harsh criticisms and prejudices. They have built a hierarchy where it wasn’t needed in the first place. This sort of social hierarchy is the one must be discussed, if not for the sake of current generation, then for the next.
The strand covers a broad field of interests, it provides avenues for self-discovery and self-expression. The students who are enrolled in this course are a diverse group of people with different interest and personalities. Those different personalities gives color and vibrancy to the Humanities and Social Sciences strand. They’ve come together for a purpose, and that purpose is to work in rebuilding and restoring the sense of humanity for all.
Likewise, those who have already chosen and who will be choosing this strand as their field of study should not be looked down upon or degraded by those of other strands. It doesn’t matter how hard, it’s about finding yourself. It is about your skills being honed in the strand you are aligned with. It’s about choosing a road suitable for your unique self. It’s not about what you will be in the future, but it is how you will perform your responsibility as a person.
