It's back to school once again. Children, most of them anyway, cannot wait to wear their uniforms to school. This will of course be with matching new school bags, books, notebooks and all the other accessories that come with school opening.

The excitement seems to be less pronounced as they grow older. If ever, the most plausible reason for this is that they will be having time together with peers at family expense. It does not take a philosopher that this is missing the forest for the trees. All the trimmings of school openings should not be confused with the start of another year of learning.

An increasing number of students have the opinion that school is simply about passing the course. Never mind if in the process they have to resort to various forms of cheating or bribery – depending on one's economic capabilities. Teachers and school administrators are not helping them any. It is no secret that many students make the grade not because they learned enough to make it but because some unscrupulous teachers earned enough to make it so. Certain school administrators are not helping any. Leading by example in terms of money-making ventures right within the curriculum, the teachers and other school personnel take the cue from them right there.

The most abused alibi given for all the shenanigans is of course the hard times. As though the economy is enough reason to bend one's morals and justify one's indiscretions. And yet, there seems to be no end in sight for all the trade and commerce masquerading as education. No thanks to a government that delivers the message that it pays to pay. If you have any doubt about that, look at all the crooks who are enjoying life as though there are no tomorrows. It is not that they are innocent of wrongdoings. They simply know that for the most part, they can afford the price.

In the final reckoning however, it all boils down to what an individual does with his life. That all the rest are bending rules cannot be an excuse to do the same thing. When we face the final judgment, it is simply between us and God. There are many lessons in life worth learning. Among them is the fact that while life in the fast lane pays, it does not really assure fulfillment. All the restless lives of all the jaded people will prove that. It's back to school, yes. Hopefully, people will learn their lessons.