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A History of The System of Education in The Philippines - Its Implication For The Present Generation
A History of The System of Education in The Philippines - Its Implication For The Present Generation
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In ancient Philippines, children were given the rudiments of education. Such education was
both academic and vocation. The father trained his sons to be warriors, hunters, fishermen,
miners, lumbermen and ship builders. The mother on her part trained her daughters in
cooking, gardening, serving and other household arts.
It is said that in ancient Panay, there was a barangay school called Bothoan under the
charge of the teacher usually an old man. The subjects taught to the children in this
barangay school were reading, writing, arithmetic, use of weapons
and lubus (acquiring kinaadman or amulets).
Hence, education during that time was geared toward their needs. Because of colonization
by several foreign countries and several historical events, our education underwent several
changes although we also retained some of the ancient teachings which are practical even
during our time.
With the country’s celebration of independence in 1946, scarcely seven decades ago, have
come every aspect of educational system in line with the new status of a new nation seeking
to achieve and maintain political and economic independence and to fashion a nation truly
united out of social and cultural diversities.
Table of Contents
Introduction of the Western or European System of Education
Education under the Americans
Education under the Commonwealth
Education under the Japanese
The Iloilo Experiment
Educational Thrust of the New Society and Today
o History of Philippine Educational System (Presentation):
The principal aim of Spain in the Philippines during their regime was to make the native
Filipinos obedient and God-fearing Christians. For this reason, religion was a compulsory
subject at all levels – from the primary schools to the universities.
The first schools were the parochial schools opened by the missionaries in their parishes. In
addition to religion, the native children in these schools were taught reading, writing,
arithmetic and some vocational and practical arts subjects.
Later on, colleges for boys and girls were opened by the missionaries. These colleges were
the equivalent of our high schools today. The subjects taught to the students included
history, Latin, geography, mathematics and philosophy.
There was no co-education during the Spanish times. Boys and girls studied in separate
schools.
University education was started in the Philippines during the early part of the 17th century.
Originally, the colleges and universities were open only to the Spaniards and those with
Spanish blood (mestizos). It was only during the 19th century that these universities began
accepting native Filipinos.
It is interesting to note that for nearly 300 years, education in the Philippines was the
primary responsibility of the Catholic Church. The missionaries established the schools,
provided the teachers and facilities and decided what should be taught. It was only in the
last half of the 19th century that the government took an active part in promoting
education in the colony. In 1863, a royal decree called for the establishment of a public
school system in the colony.
Consequently, it was not surprising that the United States considered educating the Filipinos
as one of its top priorities in the Philippines. Even while US troops were consolidating their
foothold in Manila in 1898, schools were already opened in the city. But unlike the Spaniards
who neglected to propagate their language, the Americans made it a point to teach English
to the Filipinos. The American soldiers were the first teachers of the Filipinos.
In January 1901, free primary education was provided and a school for Filipino teachers was
established. It called for the recruitment of trained teachers in America. It abolished
compulsory religious instruction.
The Americans gave bright young Filipino students opportunity to take up higher education
in American colleges and universities. These Filipinos came to be known
as “pensionados” for their education in the United States was financed by the government
in the Philippines. Hundreds of Filipino pensionados were able to study in the US until 1928.
From the ranks of these pensionados came the future civic, business and political leaders of
our country.
Hungry for education, the Filipinos flocked to public and private schools in large numbers.
Under the Commonwealth, vocational and adult education were given emphasis.
It was also during the Commonwealth regime that an organized effort to develop a
common national language was stared in compliance with the mandate of the 1935
constitution.
To help counteract the American cultural influence among the Filipinos, President Quezon
greatly encouraged the revival of native culture as well as desirable Filipino values.
And to help strengthen the moral fibers of the Filipinos and to foster love of country
especially among the youth, President Quezon issued his famous Code of Ethics which was
required to be taught in all schools.
In 1940, several changes were made in the Philippine educational system by virtue of the
Educational Act of 1940. Under this law, the elementary course was reduced from 7 years to
6 years. The minimum age for admission to Grade I was raised to 7. The school calendar was
also changed so instead of the school year from June to March, it was changed to July to
April.
After four centuries and a half of being a colony of Spain, America and Japan, the concern of
the Filipino educators and policy makers is the Filipinization of the Filipinos and Filipino
institutions. Alejandro Roces, while holding office as the Secretary of Education, voiced this
concern thus: