Philippine Christian University

Educational Legislation

Dr. Robert Bautista

A Reflective Essay in Educational Legislation

This subject enhances my knowledge regarding the educational legislations

in the Philippines over years from the past historical events up to present
educational system.

Different laws covering education system in the Philippines has evolved

tremendously. From the 1935 Constitution up to 1987 constitution,
educational legislations undergo different changes or amendments in order
to adapt different situations.

Whist studying this subject brought up a lot of knowledge regarding

different acts such as commonwealth acts, republic acts and others; this
subject also made us aware that there are various laws needed to change
to cope up with the current set up of Philippines Educational System.

From this subject, I’ve learned that our educational system has been
influenced by different countries from Spanish era, followed by Japanese
and the last were American’s regime. Americans had the greatest
contributions in developing our educational laws. It has been said that our
constitution is directly patterned from the Americans way back in 1935
Constitutions with several amendments through the years.
From the lectures, we’ve discussed that Philippines in the past had its own
school trainings supervised by parents or other tribal tutors. Then
Spaniards brought up the first formal educational system focused mainly on
religions (as Christianity was their primarily contribution) followed by the
Americans then Japanese and the second colonial period of the
Americans.

The United States had the most important part in our educational system
from the teaching of English language as a medium of instructions to
establishing different schools, colleges and universities were said to be
adapted from Americans.

The Philippines and United States shared the common vision in terms of
inclusive and promoting active educational system.

After the Independence Act (1935 Constitutions) a series of revisions had

taken place. As per constitution has stated, free education was offered to
all public primary schools (1935 Constitution Article IV section 5) with the
children at age seven being enrolled and had to complete a 6-year
elementary course which is still in practice today with some changes.

In the past, the formal school years ranged from seven (Commonwealth
Act 578) changed to six- year elementary school, and four-year secondary
and another four-five year in tertiary level.

It has been changed in 2012 under Republic Act (RA) 10533, whereas from
6,4,4 educational course, a K-12 program has been introduced with many
advantages such as adulting stability and job hunt efficiency. This program
includes 6 year in primary, 4 years in Junior secondary and an additional
two years (senior high) to complete the secondary education and then the
traditional tertiary years based on the course taken.

In addition, from a seven-year-old age, at present children are required to

attend pre-elementary course or kindergarten for at least a year or two.

In Article IV Section 7 of the 1987 Constitution, it is stated that the official

language for communication and instruction are Filipino and English (as
provided by law). This means of instruction is still used in all schools.

The education sector of the country had undergone several changes

throughout the years from the United States era up to contemporary period.

Different provisions were established to provide quality educations at all

level (Article XIV of 1987 Constitution), an act providing for the
establishment and maintenance of an integrated system of education as
per Batas Pambansa BLG. 232; and more including the recent
amendments.

The Philippine educational cycle varies only in some areas such as number
of years, school age range, various specialized programs, general
academic studies, and the laws protecting the rights of institutional
personnel.

Tracing the history of educational legislation in the Philippines, it has one

goal then and now that is to provide the school age population and young
adults with skills, knowledge, and values to become caring, self-reliant,
productive, and patriotic citizens. At present, the education system is
administered and overseen by the Department of Education.
The main crisis is the funding in Education as the resources are limited with
the fast growing population in our country.

Even before the government has found it difficult to fully fund the entire
education system. The funding in educational sectors has been questioned
and revised more often but still the Philippines is one of the countries in
Southeast Asia with the lowest budget allocated in education. It is important
for the government to take on other legal responsibilities in every institution.
The State is accountable to ensure that each student and teacher is skilled
enough and have the competencies to apply legal principles and human
rights to instill a culture that is conducive in our school system.

For me, studying and gaining some knowledge about legal bases in
Education is essential and one of the fundamental aspects as educators
because it covers all the legalities in education, rights of students, rights
and privileges of schools’ personnel, the role of the State and the
maintenance of quality education.

The exposure to education law allows the teachers to tackle several issues
and challenges in maintaining a healthy educational system.

Laws in education affect schools both public and private institutions. They
have to comply with all the legalities and requirements as they change and
are updated. Like what I’ve mentioned they changed regularly and it’s the
school and all personnel’s responsibility to stay updated on the changes
and implement them.

As an educator, I should be aware of all the education law in modern times.

Primarily because schools are the basic foundation accountable for
developing responsible citizens. It is also important to follow education laws
and state policies. Education should prepare young citizens towards
occupying their place in a democratic society based on human dignity,
equality and freedom. Studying Educational Legislations promotes the role
of laws in protecting children and people in different institutions as well as
the acquisition of different skills and knowledge they need to become a law-
abiding citizen and develop positive attitude in a society.

To sum up, studying this subject made me aware of all the legalities in
education especially in the Philippines as I wasn’t fully knowledgeable
beforehand since I’m working overseas.

Thank you for a very inspiring, challenging and fruitful discussion! :D

Ms. Arlene M. Asis

Master of Arts in Education- Educational

Management

October 23,2021