JEFFRY R.

MUEGA

MAED

TOPIC: PHILIPPINE EDUCATION SYSTEM

REFLECTION:

The education system of the Philippines has been highly influenced by the country’s colonial

history. It has undergone several stages of development from the pre-Spanish times to the

present. In meeting the needs of the society, education serves as focus of emphases/priorities of

the leadership at certain periods/epochs in our national struggle as a race. During the pre-

Hispanic period, there was no established formal schooling in the country. The education was

informal, unstructured and devoid of methods; the parents in the houses serve as the teacher

during those times. Children on those days were trained and provided more on vocational

training and less academics. The pre-Spanish system of education underwent major changes

during the Spanish colonization. The tribal tutors were replaced by the Spanish Missionaries.

Education was religion-oriented. They devote their lives to education for reasons as individual to

them as any other part of their identity. They chose to teach not just only for the salary and

benefits they might get, the reasons for becoming a teacher is much deeper than that, and while

they are personal, they are almost all united by the desire to impact to people’s lives. The

American soldiers were the first teachers of the Filipinos. In January 1901, free primary

education was provided and a school for Filipino teachers was established. It called for the

recruitment of trained teachers in America. It abolished compulsory religious instruction.

It provides identity and shows us models of good and responsible behaviour, as well as teaching

us how to learn from the mistakes of others. History helps us understand how society can change

and develop.