History of Philippine Educational System

Summary

This video script delves into the history of the Philippine educational system, highlighting its evolution from informal pre-colonial practices to the structured Spanish-era education, and further through American influence, Commonwealth period, and Japanese occupation. It discusses the shifts in curriculum focus, from religious teachings to democratic ideals, vocational training, and nationalism. The script also covers post-colonial developments, including the K-12 program and the integration of values education, emphasizing the importance of understanding educational history to inform present and future reforms.

Takeaways

• 📚 The Philippine educational system has evolved from informal and unstructured pre-colonial education to a formal and organized system influenced by Spanish, American, and Japanese eras.
• 🌐 Education in the pre-colonial period was decentralized, with vocational training being more emphasized than academics, taught by tribal tutors known as babaylan or katalunan.
• ⛪ The Spanish era introduced formal schooling with an authoritarian nature, focusing on religious education and replacing tribal tutors with Spanish missionaries.
• 📜 The Educational Decree of 1863 established a complete system of education in the Philippines, including compulsory attendance between ages 7 and 12, with a curriculum centered on religion but also including secular subjects.
• 🏫 During the American regime, democratic ideals were promoted, and a system of free and compulsory elementary education was established, with the University of the Philippines being founded in 1908.
• 🏛 The Commonwealth period emphasized nationalism, vocational education, and discipline, with the teaching of Filipino national language and the life of Filipino heroes being mandated in schools.
• 🎓 The Japanese occupation aimed to eradicate reliance on Western states, foster a new Filipino culture based on oriental consciousness, and promote the diffusion of the Japanese language in the Philippines.
• 🏛️ Post-colonial Philippine education aimed at realizing democratic ideals, with the civil service eligibility of teachers being made permanent and a daily flag ceremony being compulsory in all schools.
• 📈 The 1973 Constitution outlined the fundamental aims of education, including fostering love of country, teaching duties of citizenship, and developing moral, self-discipline, and scientific, technological, and vocational efficiency.
• 🔄 The educational system has seen various developments, including the introduction of new courses, media of instruction policies, and the trifocalization of the education system focusing on basic education, technical education, and higher education.
• 📝 The Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001 and the Kindergarten Act of 2012, along with the K-12 program, have significantly reformed the structure of basic education in the Philippines, aiming to provide a comprehensive and well-rounded education.

Q & A

What was the nature of education during the pre-colonial period in the Philippines?

Education during the pre-colonial period in the Philippines was informal, unstructured, and decentralized. It was vocationally focused, with parents teaching their children practical skills for livelihood and household chores.

How did the Spanish era change the educational system in the Philippines?

The Spanish era introduced formal and organized education, characterized by an authoritarian nature. Spanish missionaries replaced tribal tutors, and the curriculum was centered around religious teachings, with separate schools for boys and girls.

What was the significance of the Educational Decree of 1863 in the Philippine educational system?

The Educational Decree of 1863 established a complete system of education from elementary to collegiate levels. It mandated the creation of elementary schools in all municipalities and included a curriculum with subjects like reading, writing, arithmetic, history, and Christian doctrine.

What were the key features of the American regime's educational system in the Philippines?

The American regime promoted democratic ideals and a democratic way of life. It established a system of free and compulsory elementary education, reopened schools previously maintained by the Spanish, and introduced the University of the Philippines as the first state school of university status.

How did the Commonwealth period (1935-1942) approach education in the Philippines?

During the Commonwealth period, free education in public schools was provided nationwide, with an emphasis on vocational education, household activities, and nationalism. Good manners, discipline, and the teaching of Filipino national language were also prioritized.

What were the educational aims during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines?

The aims of education during the Japanese occupation included understanding the Philippines' position in the East Asia co-prosperity sphere, eradicating reliance on Western states, fostering a new Filipino culture, elevating moral values, diffusing elementary and vocational education, promoting the Japanese language, and developing a love for labor.

What was the role of the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS) in the post-colonial Philippines?

The DECS was responsible for the governance of the basic education system, including the implementation of policies and programs that aimed to realize democratic ideals and prepare students for tertiary education, employment, and citizenship.

What is the significance of the K-12 program in the Philippines?

The K-12 program, established by Republic Act 10533, covers kindergarten and 12 years of basic education, aiming to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for higher education, skills development, and entrepreneurship.

What is the purpose of studying the history of education in the Philippines?

Studying the history of education helps understand and solve current educational issues rooted in the past, shapes the future by learning from present conditions influenced by history, and provides a perspective that illuminates present educational activities.

How has the role of values education evolved in the Philippine curriculum?

Values education has been integrated into all learning areas and is offered as a separate subject in the new secondary education curriculum, emphasizing the development of moral, self-discipline, and civic responsibilities.

What is the significance of the Governance of Basic Education Act (Republic Act 9155) in the Philippine educational system?

Republic Act 9155 transformed the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports into the Department of Education, refining the roles of field offices and providing a framework for school head empowerment, school-based management, and transparency and local accountability.