History of the Philippine Educational System

Introduction

• Overview of the Philippine educational system's history
• Education as a function of society
• What society values influences school curricula

Pre-Colonial Education

• Nature: Informal, unstructured, decentralized
• Teachers: Fathers and mothers (tribal tutors - babaylan or katalunan)
• Focus: Vocational training over academics

Spanish Era (1565-1898)

• Nature: Formal, organized, authoritarian
• Teachers: Replaced tribal tutors with Spanish missionaries
• Schools: Parish schools, separated for boys and girls
• Curriculum: Focused on religion (Christian doctrines, prayers, etc.)

Educational Decree of 1863

• Established a complete education system from elementary to collegiate levels
• Core Curriculum: Reading, writing, arithmetic, history, Christian doctrine, Spanish language, music, agriculture (boys), needlework (girls)
• Attendance: Compulsory for ages 7-12

American Regime (1898-1946)

• Nature: Emphasis on democratic ideals
• Schools: Reopened former Spanish schools in 1898
• Education Laws: Free and compulsory elementary education established by Malolos Constitution
• Key Developments:
  • First American school opened in Corregidor in May 1898
  • University of the Philippines founded in 1908
  • Three-level school system defined by the Department of Public Instruction

Commonwealth Period (1935-1942)

• Nature: Free public education provided nationwide
• Focus: Vocational education, nationalism, good manners, and discipline
• Significant Executive Orders:
  • E.O. 134: National language based on Tagalog
  • E.O. 217: Quezon Code of Ethics taught in schools
  • E.O. 263: Required teaching of the national language
  • Education Act of 1940: Revised elementary education structure

Japanese Occupation (1942-1945)

• Aims:
  • Promote East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere
  • Reduce reliance on Western countries
  • Foster Filipino culture
  • Promote moral values and elementary education
  • Encourage Japanese language use

Post-Colonial Education

• Goals: Realization of democratic ideals
• Legislative Developments:
  • Republic Act 1079: Permanent civil service eligibility for teachers
  • Republic Act 1265: Daily flag ceremony and national anthem in schools
  • Inclusion of Rizal's works in the curriculum
  • Elementary education nationalized; matriculation fees abolished

Key Legislative Acts

• Magna Carta for Teachers (Republic Act 4670)
• Education Aims (1973 Constitution): Love of country, citizenship duties, moral and vocational efficiency

Developments in the Educational System

• Integration of Values: Across all learning areas
• Bilingual Education Policy: English and Filipino as media of instruction
• Trifocalization of Education: Divided into basic education, post-secondary, and higher education
• Governance of Basic Education Act (Republic Act 9155): Shifted Department of Education structure
• New Secondary Education Curriculum (ENSEC) and Kindergarten Act (Republic Act 10157)
• K-12 Program (Republic Act 10533): Covers kindergarten and 12 years of basic education

Importance of Studying Educational History

• Understanding Past Issues: Helps identify current educational problems
• Reform Efforts: Based on past conditions to shape the future
• Perspective for Teachers: Provides insights into present activities

Conclusion

• Engagement and learning emphasized
• Encouragement for students to appreciate the historical context of education in the Philippines.