Republic of the Philippines

MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY

School of Graduate Studies
Fatima, General Santos City

Erwin E. Rotas Professor: Dr. Lito Adanza

Course: MAEd General Education Subject: History of Education

Professional Reflection on the American Occupation in the Philippines and the

Philippine Educational System during their Regime

The American occupation in the Philippines had been known for its introduction
of modern system of education among Filipinos. It has also been known for General
Douglas McArthur’s “I shall return” who promised independence to the Filipinos. This
promise had been realized through the surrender of the Japanese ruling in our country.
During this regime, religion was not part of the curriculum of the schools. This
endeavors that schools or institutions should encourage independent thinking among its
students to expand their horizons and uncover possibilities of things around them. Not
that I do not want any conspicuous religious symbols in our schools but this also bring
positive outcomes since students could explore on the things they want to without
religious interference. However, for religion-founded schools, this should not be the
case.
During this time, the Filipinos had encountered the so-called Thomasites or
American soldiers teaching in schools. This time also the Filipinos had developed a
great sophistication in learning the English language, the universal language today. No
doubt that Filipinos are good at speaking this language today in interviews, advocacies,
and capacity building efforts all over the world. The English language has put Filipinos
in greater advantage among its neighboring Asian countries. Through these teachers,
we learned to value self-discipline, control and expertise in our chosen field of
endeavor.
Through the Americans, we learned the concept of inclusive education in our
schools today where educations must be highly considered as universal and free
regardless of cultural upbringing, sex, age, religion, or socio-economic status in life. And
that education is a way of giving the people the freedom to decide for the path he or she
wants for himself or herself. This concept is adapted in all schools in the Philippines
today because it is a significant predictor of peace building and peace initiatives
especially in war-inflicted areas in some parts of the Philippines. This concept also led
us to be more global in terms of our educational system.
The modern public educational system we got from the Americans taught me that
reaching the success we want for ourselves should start from humble beginnings
(elementary- the training of heart and mind), should continue to prepare us for the
course or specialization we want to pursue (secondary- knowledge and tech-voc
trainings), and should holistically develop through real-life trainings and applications in
the industry we want to be in (tertiary- the real school). This step by step ladder of
education life as individual reminds us that success, though overwhelming to reach,
should be realized by taking the first step and overcoming the next steps. This way, we
can really say that we are successful. As a teacher, I should always remind my pupils
that there is no shortcut for success and that they must take every step until the last
step and that education is a lifelong learning process. Lastly, as a teacher, the American
regime taught me the importance of good manners and right conduct in all my
professional endeavors.