Historical Foundations of Curriculum in the Philippines

1. HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS
OF CURRICULUM
IN THE PHILIPPINES

2. Pre-Hispanic Period
- The objective was basically to promote reverence for, and adoration of
Bathala, respect for laws, customs, and authorities represented by parents
and elders.
- no formal school,
- Oral, practical, hands on, Reading, ‘riting, ‘rithmetic (3r’s)
 Friars - established parochial schools linked with churches to teach
catechism to the natives. - goal is to spread Christianity.
 Religion (Christian Doctrine) – was a compulsory subject at all levels.

3. •Education was privileged only to Spanish students. • 19th
century – public education for the natives. • Educational decree
of 1863 – required the establishment of one primary school for
girls and one for boys in each major town of the
country. Establishment of the normal school for the training of
teachers. Spanish Language – medium of instruction in all
schools.
• Absence of systematic government supervision of the schools.
Over emphasis on religion. Limited and Irrelevant Curriculum
•Lack of trained teachers (150 teacher-missionaries to instruct
over half a million inhabitants) •Obsolete Teaching Methods.
• Poor classroom facilities, Inadequate instructional
materials. Racial discrimination against Filipino students.
•Absence of academic freedom

4. Spanish Period
- During the Spanish period and by virtue of Educational Decree of 1863
free public school system was established. There was one school for boys and
another school for girls in every municipality.
- The Spanish missionaries served as teachers. The same Decree
provided for a normal school run by the Jesuits to educate male teachers in
Manila. So, it was the Spaniards who started training teachers in normal
schools.

5.  The curriculum created focused on their version of
3R’s: Reading, writing and religion. The main reading
materials were all religion-based because the schools
are managed by the convents and religious
organization.

6. American Period
-The Americans used education as a vehicle for its program
benevolent assimilation. Restore damaged school houses, build
new ones and conduct classes. American teachers infused their
students the spirit of democracy and progress as well as fair play.
- American soldiers served as the first teachers. In 1901, the
Philippine Commission enacted into law Act 74 which created the
Department of Public Instruction, laid the foundations of the
Public school system and offered free primary education for
Filipinos.

7.  The Philippine Commission authorized the Secretary of
Public Instruction to bring to the Philippines 600
teachers from USA due to the shortage of teachers. They
were the Thomasites. The Curriculum was based on
American Traditions and hierarchy. English became the
major of instruction.

8. Japanese Period
- The curriculum was changed because they introduced Nihongo and they abolish
English as a medium of instruction and as a subject. The school calendar became longer
and no summer vacation for both students and teachers. They promote vocational
education The six basic Principles in Japanese education put importance to the diffusion
of elementary education and to the promotion of vocational education and Inspire the
people with the spirit of love and labor.

9. Martial Period
- The Department of Education became the Department of
Education and Culture in 1972, the Ministry of Education and
Culture in 1978, and with the Education Act of 1982, the
Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports. • A bilingual
education scheme was established in 1974, requiring Filipino
and English to be used in schools. • Science and math subjects
as well as English language and literature classes were taught
in English while the rest were taught in Filipino.

10. • From 1986 to the present • The bilingual policy in education was
reiterated in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines. • (EDCOM),
Congress passed Republic Act 7722 and Republic Act 7796 in 1994,
creating the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
The institute governing basic education was thus renamed in 2001
as the Department of Education (DepEd).

11.  The Philippine Basic Education K-12
- The K-12 program has a so-called “Phased
Implementation”, which started in S.Y. 2011- 2012.
K-12 curriculum. These are the grades from
kindergarten (K) and the 1st grade up to grade 12 (1-
12). The K-12 curriculum allows the students to
choose from different tracks such as Academic track,
vocational track, sports, and arts

12. End of Slides!!!
Prepared by:
Alexil L. Embac
BSED-ENGLISH II