Why Study Rizal?

It is of great importance that students understand the rationale behind having to take up a Rizal
course in college. For high school students, the Noli Me Tangere and the El Filibusterismo are
injected into the Filipino subject as part of the overall curriculum. In tertiary education, however,
Rizal is a subject required of any course, in any college or university in the Philippines.
Usually, during the first day of the course, the professor asks the well-overused questions:
Why study Rizal?
What is the importance of studying Rizal?
Why is Rizal one of the minor subjects taken up in college?
Why is Rizal included in the course outline?
What relevance does Rizal have in college education?
The answer to such questions can be summed up in two points:

1. First and foremost, because it is mandated by law.

2. Secondly, because of the lessons contained within the course itself.

Let us discuss those reasons one by one:

WHY STUDY RIZAL: BECAUSE IT IS MANDATED BY LAW
The teaching of Jose Rizal’s life, works, and writings is mandated by Republic Act 1425, otherwise
known as the Rizal Law. Senator Jose P. Laurel, the person who sponsored the said law, said that
since Rizal was the founder of Philippine nationalism and has contributed much to the current
standing of this nation, it is only right that the youth as well as all the people in the country know
about and learn to imbibe the great ideals for which he died. The Rizal Law, enacted in 1956,
seeks to accomplish the following goals:
1. To rededicate the lives of youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which our
heroes lived and died
2. To pay tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works in shaping the Filipino
character
3. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism through the study of Rizal’s life, works, and
writings.

WHY STUDY RIZAL: BECAUSE OF THE LESSONS CONTAINED WITHIN THE

COURSE
Aside from those mentioned above, there are other reasons for teaching the Rizal course in
Philippine schools:
1. To recognize the importance of Rizal’s ideals and teachings in relation to present conditions
and situations in the society.
2. To encourage the application of such ideals in current social and personal problems and
issues.
3. To develop an appreciation and deeper understanding of all that Rizal fought and died for.
4. To foster the development of the Filipino youth in all aspects of citizenship.
http://thelifeandworksofrizal.blogspot.com/2011/08/why-study-rizal.html
Republic Act No. 1425
June 12, 1956
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS,

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF JOSE
RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO,
AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the
ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;
WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we
remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national character;
WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth,
especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused;
WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the State,
and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and to teach
the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore,

SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere
and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or
private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall be used as basic texts.
SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an
adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography.
SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El
Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine
dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of
charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout
the country.
Approved: June 12, 1956
Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956.
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1956/06/12/republic-act-no-1425/#:~:text=REPUBLIC%20ACT%20NO.-
,1425,THEREOF%2C%20AND%20FOR%20OTHER%20PURPOSES