Alvarez, Maria Rosario R.

4N1

2014067606 August 15, 2017

Discussion Paper on Rizal Law

Republic Act No. 1425 or commonly known as Rizal law intended to include the life and works
of Jose Rizal in the curriculum of both public and private schools and universities. This law has
been implemented for more than 60 years and in this modern world, there has been a lot of issue
on whether this law is still relevant? Does it need some revisions? And what is its real importance.

Knowing that Rizal is our National hero is not enough and that is the reason why during
our grade school and high school days, we are being educated about the life and writings of Jose
Rizal and how he shaped our national character when he fought and died for the Philippines. That
even in tertiary level, Rizal is still included in the courses taken by the students. To encourage
application in the current issues that the country is facing today.

As a BS Nutrition and Dietetics student in the University of Santo Tomas, I believe that
Rizal course is still relevant in todays time. We are all caught up on the different courses related
to our program and I think that we need courses like Rizal that will not only feed our minds but
also our soul. That this course is not only about memorizing names and dates but there is a deeper
meaning on the writings of Rizal. In a world of Globalization, the Philippines is slowly losing its
identity and majority of its citizens are being brainwashed by the western thinking. Some college
students would even think that Rizal course is only a waste of money and time.

One problem that is common in this course is that some educators do not have the true
passion in teaching this course that they end up letting the students memorize the names, dates and
events and forget to teach them to view the life and works of Rizal in an "out of the box"
perspective. If this law would need some revision, I think that schools and universities must train
their educators or choose educators that are passionate enough to teach the course.

I also believe that strengthening the Philippine history and not only focusing on Rizal is the
key for a better understanding of the true meaning of Heroism. Looking beyond the heroes lives
and understanding the significance of their deaths. This must be instill to all Filipinos at an early
age.
Reference: Republic Act No. 1425. Official Gazette of the Philippines 52, no.6 (June
1956):2971. Accessed August 14,2017