The document summarizes Philippine education during the Commonwealth and Japanese periods. During the Commonwealth period (1935-1941) under Manuel Quezon, goals were to develop moral character, civic duty, and vocational skills. Reforms included designating Tagalog as the national language and passing laws to promote elementary education. Under Japanese occupation (1942-1945), the goals were to spread a new Asian order and Filipino culture. Schools reopened in 1942 with an emphasis on rote memorization, punishment, and the Japanese language. After the war, the educational system was reestablished under the Department of Education.

1. MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY
GRADUATE SCHOOL
General Santos City
Dannilyn P. Manayan Mr. Lito Adanza, Ph.D.
Educ 211 – SUN 8:00 – 11:00 A.M. May 13, 2018
Philippine Education System:
Commonwealth and Japanese Period
I. PHILIPPINE EDUCATION IN THE COMMONWEALTH PERIOD (1935-1941)
Objectives:
 trace the timeline in the history of Philippine education during Commonwealth Period
 identify the goal and method applied in the Commonwealth period in Philippine education
 determine the educational reforms implemented in Commonwealth Period
What is Commonwealth Period?
 The Philippine Commonwealth was the name of the Philippines when it was still controlled by the U.S.
 Manuel Quezon was the first Filipino to head an elected government in the Philippines.
Goals of Education in the Commonwealth Period:
 All schools should develop moral character, civic conscience, personal discipline and vocational efficiency.
 Emphasize duties on citizenship
 Educate adults
*Methods used: Memorization, Recitation, Socialized Recitation
Ways of Promoting Education
• Executive Order No. 134 (1936) - President Quezon designated Tagalog as the national language
• Education Act of 1940 - also known as the Commonwealth Act No. 586, approved on August 7, 1940 by the
Philippine Assembly.
- Reduction of seven year elementary course to six-year elementary course
- School Entrance to seven years old
- National support heightened for elementary education
- Compulsory attendance in the primary grades for all Grade 1 enrollees
- Abolished grade seven
- Class start from June to March instead of July to April
- A teacher should manage sections and other assignments
- Introduction of double-single class/session
• Commonwealth Act No. 180 (1936) - November 13; An act that contains amendments of Act No. 2706 (the
Private School Law), 3075, and the Establishment of Private Education to be Headed by the Director of Private
Education
- Sec. 3 stated that if a person or group wanted to establish a private school or college, must
secure permission from the Secretary of Public Instruction. beforehand and file a petition for: the
name and location of the school or college, names and addresses of all officers, directors,
governing boards and faculties and the money invested, date of the organization and lists of
teaching staff and their qualifications.
• Commonwealth Act No. 1 - Section 52: Military training had opened for elementary kids at the age of 10 and “shall
extend through college…”
• Commonwealth Act No. 80 - Approved , Oct. 26, 1936, this is an Act creating the Office of Adult Education,
enumerating its duties, defining its objectives, and providing funds for its operation under the Department of Public
Instruction
- Goal: to eliminate illiteracy and give vocational training for their living
- Led by its chief called the Director of Adult Education
- Funded by National Assembly
HISTORY OF EDUCATION

2. • Commonwealth Act No. 589 - August 19, 1940 by the National Assembly; An Act Establishing a School Ritual in all
Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools
- Includes: (Section 2)
- Singing of the Philippine National Anthem
- Recitation of a patriotic pledge prepared by its Committee: Secretary of Public Instruction
(chairman), UP President, the Director of Education, the Director of Private Education
II. PHILIPPINE EDUCATION IN THE JAPANESE ERA (1942-1945)
Philosophy: 1. Asia for Asians
2. Philippines for the Filipinos
3. Asia is ONE.
6 Principles Japanese used:
1. Realization of a NEW ORDER and promote friendly relations between Japan and the Philippines to the
farthest extent.
2. Foster a new Filipino culture.
3. Endeavor to elevate the morals of the people, giving up over emphasis to materialism.
4. Diffusion of the Japanese language in the Philippines
5. Promotion of Vocational Education
6. Inspire people with the spirit to love neighbor.
Goal: To spread the New Asian order
Focus: Principles of the new order
Characteristics:
Course of Study: Prescribed, Uniform and Centralized
Propaganda tool: repressively anti-American and anti-British, military backed
existence of an educational system
Methods used: Rote memorization, use of threat , and punishment
Ways of Promoting Education:
• Military Order No. 2 - Embodies the Japanese educational policies
- The Commission of Education, Health, and Public Welfare was established by the Philippine
Executive Commission.
- Schools were REOPENED in June 1942 with 300, 000 students
• Ministry of Education - OCTOBER 14, 1943 – the Japanese created the Ministry of Education
- 1978 – By virtue of P.D. No. 1397, it became the Ministry of Education and Culture
- 1982- Education Act of 1982 created the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports
- 1987 – it became the Department of Education, Culture and Sports by virtue of Executive Order
no. 117
• Department of Instruction - FEBRUARY 27, 1945 – the Department of Instruction was made part of the Department of
Public Instruction
- 1947 – By virtue of Executive Order No. 94, the Department of Instruction was changed to
Department of Education
- 1972 – it became the Department of Education and Culture by virtue of Proclamation 1081.
• Executive Order No. 94 - Bureau of Public and Private Schools
- Regulation and supervision public and private schools implemented
The Content/Curriculum
 Use of Tagalog, Philippine History, and Character Education were the focus.
 Love for work and dignity for labor were emphasized; stop depending tp US and Great Britain
 Spread of elementary and vocational education
 NIPPONGO was used as medium of communication.
*References on the Session Guide*
HISTORY OF EDUCATION