The document summarizes education in the Philippines during the American period from 1898 to 1942. It outlines the educational goals of promoting democratic ideals and forming good citizens. It describes how the American established a public school system with English as the medium of instruction, based on the U.S. model. It discusses both strengths like increased access and equality, and weaknesses such as widespread Americanization of Philippine culture and using education to pursue colonial interests.

1. EDUCATION IN THE
PHILIPPINES DURING THE
AMERICAN PERIOD (1898-1942)
By: Yana, Nerissa P.
Alfar, Florlyn Gill P.

2. Educational Goals
 To promote democratic ideals and
way of life.
 Formation of good
citizens, including the rights and
responsibilities of people.

3. Highlights of Education During
the American Time:
 Education Act of 1901 laid the foundation
of the Philippine Public school system.
 In August 1901, 600 teachers called
“Thomasites” arrived.
 English was made medium of instruction

4.  Curricular structure and programs were
patterned from the U.S.
 There were 3 levels of education:
Elementary level, Secondary or High
school level, and College or Tertiary level.
 New subject areas were introduced.

5.  Religion was not included in the curriculum
of the schools.
 Normal, vocational, agricultural, and
business schools were also opened.
 Schools were also built in non- catholic
areas like Sulu in Mindanao, and in
Mountain Province.

6.  “Adult Education”
 the Pensionado Program was established
on 26 August 1903.

10. Issues
 Public School System
 English language was used as a medium of
instruction.

11. Strengths, and Weaknesses
during that time:
Strengths:
 Education allowed the Americans to
spread, share their culture.
 Gave everyone chance to study.
 Equality between men and women

12.  Religious freedom.
 Technical/ vocational skills were
emphasized.
 The knowledge of Filipinos in reading and
writing were very high.

13. Weaknesses
 Americans’ main objective is to colonize and
use the country and its people.
 Education was the most powerful means in
pursuing peaceful relationship with the
Philippines.

14.  Education under American colonization led to
widespread Americanization of the
Philippines.
 Through education, the Americans influenced
the Filipinos in terms of what they eat, to love
the American culture, and most of all, to
prioritize their products.

15. Insights
 “Americans thought us the importance of
education, and that importance is still evident today.
Before the Americans, education was not for
everyone, only the elite people were given the
chance of the Spaniards to study. Americans
introduced the public school system and by that we
should thanked them because they’re the reason
why there’s Cebu Normal University, our school. We
all know that they had hidden agendas for their own
good that’s why they helped and educated us. But In
my own opinion, I must say that both parties
benefitted, what they did had a mutual effect to the
Americans and to us Filipinos.”

16. SOURCES
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_
Education_(Philippines)
 http://www.deped.gov.ph/about_deped/histo
ry.asp
 http://tabonwoman.blogspot.com/2009/05/a
merican-period_22.html
 http://www.scribd.com/doc/6823019/A-
Matrix-of-Philippine-Educational-System