Historical Project: AIMS OF PHILIPPINE EDUCATION

Historical Project In MAEM 500

AIMS OF PHILIPPINE EDUCATION 

 

I. Historical Periods of Philippine Education: Prevailing Beliefs And Values

 A. Early Filipinos

Before the coming of the foreign invaders, Filipinos already have informal education. The existence of the Philippines was based on myths and legends but there were also scientific theories on how this land rose up. The belief that their original parents were Malakas and Maganda who were found inside the bamboo by an eagle who was trying to break the tree. Another belief were all about the different races of the people in the world. It is said that the "Bathala" overcooked his first piece that turns the color into black and those were the black race today. The second result was undercooked so their colors were white and pale. Lastly, his last work was now properly cooked that resulted to a brown race in which the Filipinos are among them. These stories were told by the elders to their children and were passed from generation to generation. The medium of instruction was purely through verbal communication. Rules and policies of the community, according to history, were just announced all over the town. Elders educate the young by teaching them their culture and tradition and making them follow those practices.

B. Spanish Occupation: 

Spanish conquered the land of the Philippines through religion and sword. They introduced Christianity to the nation at the same time they took over the governance. The education in the nation under the occupation of the Spaniards was just available for the elite individuals or the "ilustrados". While some Filipinos can only read and write, most were illiterate. Education was deprived to the true owner of the land. Prestigious schools and colleges were established that were under the friars. Filipinos with Spanish blood or the "mestizos" were the only allowed and accepted to enroll in that said schools. Jose Rizal had the privilege to be admitted in one of their best universities he still experienced discrimination. Friars and Spanish authorities were powerful. They were harsh to those who don't obey and rebellious with their rules. Spaniards implemented death sentence to  the accused. Patriotic Filipino men at that time secretly organized group of guerillas that will fight against the oppressors but most of them failed. They became heroic when they aroused the minds and hearts of the countrymen to fight for freedom. The coming of Spaniards brought development in the civilization of the country. They don't just introduced Christianity but they also penetrated the minds and lifestyle of the Filipinos.

C. American Occupation: 

America made treaty with Spain in regards to whom the Philippines should be owned. The outcome of the said agreement was that the land will be owned by the Americans. When the white ruled the country, they developed patriotism among Filipinos. They promote education for all. Not only the elites can go to school but also the less privileged individuals. American occupation in the country brought betterment in the field of education. It lead to the establishment of more schools both in public and private. Normal schools for teachers were built, making them able to provide teachers for the newly constructed schools. Trade schools that offer vocational courses also opened to train the Filipinos basic works. The coming of the Americans educated every Filipino who wanted to learn. They inculcated to the citizens the importance of education. But still the true owner of the Philippines did not allow the Americans to own them forever. So, they struggle against them to commit full independence using the knowledge they gained from the offered education of the foreigners.

D. Japanese Occupation: 

Japanese followed Americans in conquering the Philippines. This was the time when World War II was occurring- Japan versus America. During their invasion in the Philippines they made revisions of the teachings of the whites and the earlier conquerors. Japanese eradicated the reliance of the Browns to the Western States. They also planted to the culture of the Filipinos as being orientals. They also promoted more vocational education and made declination on elementary education which was established by the Americans. They even terminated the use of English language in the schools and replaced it with Nipongo. The spirit to love labor is what they were aimingto be placed in the heart of the Filipino citizens. The dominant training in schools they were giving were vocational, technical, and agriculture. They built agricultural schools and colleges that was focused on the natural resources of the nation that will just greatly benefit the Japanese. They emphasized vocational education, the use of their language - Nipongo, and even singing songs were strictly implemented.

II. Consequences of the Decisions in the Past at Present   

Due to the deprivation of education to the poor done by the Spaniards, more Filipinos were illiterates at that time. The Spanish let the Filipinos believe that if they belong under the poverty line, they don't have the right to education. Until today, there are still parents who still have this belief that economic status is a barrier in achieving their dreams and have education. They still think they don't have the rights in entering school - the principle that the Spaniards practiced during their regime. Out-of-school youth today are still existing up to this time.

When Americans replaced the Spanish colonization, they introduced Education For All. It gave way to the Filipinos who wanted to learn. Young and old grab the opportunity that was offered. Because the Americans imposed everybody to go schooling and since they need workers to teach, supervisors and workers in the field, they did not give much attention to the qualifications of the students. As long as they are done with the required years in school, they can already work. The result was workers were not that equipped with the needed skills because they just hurriedly finish their studies. They did not undergo proper and hard training. That is why from that time on and even until today teachers and professors of different fields of specializations are not that competent like the other countries. Philippines are still left behind throughout the world.

III. Possible Future Consequences

Less competence of the Philippines resulted to low economic status of the country. The government are trying hard to supply the wage of the workers of the different sectors. But the budget are not enough to comply and satisfy the family needs of every worker. Plus the rising population all over the nation joined the current issue. Philippines experience difficulty in sustaining the necessities of its citizens. The number of unemployed Filipinos, drop-outs, and out-of-school individuals are increasing. Crimes, beggars, and street people existed in the scenario. If we will compare the land to a balloon and its air inside the problems, it could have been exploded. Pinoy's can't find work inside the country that will give them enough salary to support their respective families. Now they cross the other countries to find possible decent job. More Filipinos go abroad to work even the professional joined the haunting of jobs there. In other countries they discovered that they can earn more money there. Today plenty of Filipinos can be found around the globe, nonprofessionals or professionals. And waht are the consequences of this? More Filipino families will be broken. Also, it will cause brain drain in the country due to the migrating professionals.