HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE OF EDUCATION IN THE

PHILIPPINES
By: Mariah Shane Valle & Mary Rose Siayngco

Introduction

Education in the Philippines has undergone a course of historical developments, from

the existence of informal education, in the pre-colonial period, up to the present. Before our
country attained independence in 1946, our education system depend on and was patterned
on the systems of Spain and the United States, countries that colonized and governed the
Philippines for more than three hundred years. Since then, our education system has
constantly progressed to what it is now.

Pre-Colonial Period

During the pre-colonial period, education was informal and was greatly influenced by
the economic setting in the Philippines. Filipinos heavily relied on customs, beliefs, and
traditions in their community. Children were provided more vocational training and practical
education by their parents and tribal leaders such as the Babaylan and Katalonan (shamans
of ethnic groups in the Philippines). Each of the family members is assigned a specific role.
Fathers train their sons to be hunters, fishermen, and other means of sustaining their
livelihood, while mothers and daughters are in charge of household chores. Filipinos also
practiced teachings through songs, poetry, dances, and the like, as part of their traditions.
Apart from that, ancient forms of writing are also evident during this time. Baybayin is one of
the earliest known writing systems in the Philippines, composed of 14 consonants and three
vowels. Truly, Filipinos valued their education and are deeply rooted in their needs, as well
as their culture.

Spanish Period

During the Spanish period in the Philippines (1565-1898), education was primarily
aimed at teaching Catholicism to the native population. The Spanish colonial government
established schools and universities, but these were mainly intended for the education of the
Spanish and mestizo (mixed-race) elites. One of the earliest schools established was the
Colegio de San Ildefonso in Cebu in 1595, which later became the University of San Carlos.
The Universidad de Santo Tomas in Manila, established in 1611, became the first and oldest
university in Asia. The curriculum during that time included religious instruction, grammar,
rhetoric, logic, and ethics, with little emphasis on practical skills such as agriculture or
commerce. The teaching of Spanish was also a priority, as it was the language of the ruling
class and the Church. Unfortunately, access to education was limited to the wealthy and
those with connections to the colonial government or the Church only. Indigenous Filipinos
were generally excluded from formal education, although some were able to receive
education through the Church or by working as apprentices or assistants to Spanish or
mestizo teachers. Overall, education during the Spanish period in the Philippines was largely
focused on the needs and interests of the colonial government and the Church, with limited
access and opportunities for the native population.
American Period

The American colonial period in the Philippines began in 1898, following the defeat of
Spain in the Spanish-American War. The American government established a new
educational system in the Philippines, which was intended to promote American culture,
language, and values among the Filipino people. The first educational institution established
by the Americans in the Philippines was the Philippine Normal School, which was founded in
1901. The school was established to train Filipino teachers who would be responsible for
implementing the new educational system in the country. Act No. 1870, popularly known as
the "Education Act of 1908," was passed by the Philippine Commission in 1908 and
established a free and mandatory public school system in the Philippines that was based on
the American educational system. The law also legalized the use of English as the primary
language of teaching in all schools and allowed for the creation of vocational and technical
schools. The American colonial government also established the University of the
Philippines in 1908, which became the premier institution of higher education in the country.
The university was modeled after the American system of higher education and offered
degrees in various fields of study. During the American period, the literacy rate in the
Philippines increased significantly, as more Filipinos gained access to education. However,
the educational system was criticized for being too focused on Americanization and
neglecting the needs and interests of the Filipino people. Many Filipino nationalists also
viewed education as a tool for cultural and political colonization and advocated for a more
nationalistic approach to education. In conclusion, the American era had a considerable
influence on the growth of education in the Philippines, helping to create the groundwork for
the nation's present-day educational system.

Japanese Occupation

The Japanese occupation of the Philippines lasted from 1942 to 1945 during World
War II. The educational system during this period underwent significant changes and
challenges due to the Japanese regime's policies and the war's impact. At the beginning of
the occupation, the Japanese established a new educational system that aimed to promote
their ideology and values among Filipino students. They abolished the English language and
replaced it with Japanese, which was taught in schools, along with Japanese culture and
traditions. The Japanese also closed down many schools and universities, including the
University of the Philippines, and replaced them with vocational schools that provided basic
education in agriculture, commerce, and industry. These schools aimed to train students to
become loyal and productive subjects of Japan. However, the war disrupted the educational
system as schools were damaged or destroyed, and teachers and students were forced to
evacuate or go into hiding. Many schools also became centers of resistance against the
Japanese, with teachers and students participating in guerrilla warfare and underground
movements. The Philippine educational system underwent renovation and repair following its
liberation in 1945. The administration reinstated English as the primary language of
instruction and reopened schools and universities. The educational system was redesigned
to give additional chances to the general public, including the development of community
schools and free primary education. In summary, the Japanese occupation of the Philippines
brought significant changes to the educational system, including the promotion of the
Japanese language and culture and the establishment of vocational schools.
Present Period

It is through extensive change and progress that our policies have adapted in
improving our economic growth and innovation toward a more effective and advanced
educational system that is continuing to progress to this day. Currently, modern education in
the Philippines is patterned on the American system, with English used as the primary
medium of instruction. Before the K to 12 Program, the Philippines followed the 10-year
basic education program, being the last country in Asia to do so. Transitioning to the K to 12
Program, education in the Philippines now follows Kindergarten and 12 years of basic
education; six years of primary education, four years of Junior High School, and two years of
Senior High School), providing students sufficient time to develop and master their skills
before pursuing tertiary education, employment, and entrepreneurship. This reform helped
the educational system of our country align with the rest of the countries in the world. Many
other educational programs are launched such as the Alternative Learning System (ALS)
and Education for All (EFA) that further shortened the educational gaps and barriers for
Filipinos, as well as decreased the inequalities they are facing within the Philippine
educational system.

Significance

Recognizing the long and complex history of our education, we’ve come to grasp
how important it is to understand the process of education and how it evolved up to the
present, most especially its implications for the current demands of our economic growth.
Having said that, our education has come a long way. Over the years, the government has
been trying its best to be globally competitive and provide education for all Filipinos,
regardless of class and gender. While the standards of our educational system are high, we
can observe that our educational system is still in need of change, with an emphasis on
more adequate school facilities, more comprehensive and proper training for educators, and
sufficient instructional resources for all students.
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