Filipino Philosophy of

Education
Lanila M. Palapar
Educ 301
 Evolution of Filipino
Philosophy of Education

Pre-Filipino Philosophy of Education

Who are the Pre-Filipinos?

occupied the archipelago before it became Philippines

mostly indigenous people
highly respected by Chinese traders
honest and trustworthy ( “suki” system on consignments
worked
well with Chinese merchants)
history tells that pre-colonial people were highly civilized (even
at par with European civilization)
they were found to possess a relatively high level of literacy in
their own system of writing
Cont. Evolution of Filipino Philosophy of Education
Pre-Filipino Philosophy

Did Pre-Filipinos have education? A philosophy of education?

No formal schools, but…

…they had orderly rule of barangay & clan chiefs

…they had a system of religious belief in God

…they had system of values such as family, solidarity, modesty

of women, obedience, family respect, respect for elders, valor
of men in battle against invaders

Every home was a school, every mother a teacher, & every

father a vocational educator.
Cont. Evolution of Filipino Philosophy of Education
Pre-Filipino Philosophy

No formal educational system, but…

…there are indicators that families,

tribes and kinspeople may have
shared percepts, precepts,
concepts & practices as regard the
growth and development which we
now call education.
Cont. Evolution of Filipino Philosophy of Education
Revolutionary Republic

 Philosophy of Education Under the

Revolutionary Republic

 strong emphasis was given to the development of a Filipino

citizen who would be a free man

 the dominant theme of education was love of country within

the context of love of God.
Cont. Evolution of Filipino Philosophy of Education
American Regime

 Philosophy of Education During the

American Regime

 initial philosophy is to teach no more than simple

livelihood vocations to enable Filipinos to become
“civilized”

 Vocational Areas: gardening, carpentry, needle work,

sewing, lace-making
Cont. Evolution of Filipino Philosophy of Education
American Regime

 Curriculum Includes:
• three R’s
• physical & health
culture
• vocational trade

• GMRC

• Development of
democratic views
Cont. Evolution of Filipino Philosophy of Education
Commonwealth

 Philosophy of Education During the

Commonwealth
… education was meant to help prepare for the independence
of a new Filipino nation

• mass education to wipe out illiteracy

• equitable education

• prepare Filipinos for self-governance with emphasis on the

cultivation of Filipino values
Cont. Evolution of Filipino Philosophy of Education
Third Republic

 Philosophy of Education Under the Third

Republic

Philippine education was to foster faith in

democracy as a way of life. Totalitarianism has to be
replaced by democracy in the minds of the Filipino.

• Central Idea of Education is human development

 development of moral character
 personal discipline
 civic consciousness
 vocational efficiency
Cont. Evolution of Filipino Philosophy of Education
New Society

 Philosophy of Education During the New

Society

Education is a tool towards which national

development goals are reached.

• development of an individual
o attain his potential as a human being
o enhancement of individual and group participation
o total dev’t into a productive and versatile citizen
Cont. Evolution of Filipino Philosophy of Education
New Society

• Training of nation’s manpower for national development

• Develop high-level professionals

• Respond effectively to changing needs and condition

The idea of academic freedom was initiated.

 Provisions on Education in
the 1987 Constitution

 Quality education at all levels is a right of all citizens

 Free public basic education

 Elementary education is compulsory

 Establish scholarship grants both in public & private

 Encouraging non-formal education

 Academic Freedom

 Article XIV, Sec 8 of the 1987 Constitution

states that “all institutions of higher learning
shall enjoy academic freedom”.

What is academic freedom? Why is it applicable only to

the institution of higher learning?
 AF pertains to the search and dissemination of truth
 AF provides protection from academic, political,
religious or any form of bias
Cont. Academic Freedom

 The search for truth by scholars,

researchers, teachers, students or
anyone in the academe implies
tentativeness and impermanence of
human knowledge. There are truths that
need to be discovered or rediscovered.
Cont. Academic Freedom

 Points to consider on AF

 Fallacy of the “Best Lights” Theory

 Institutional Academic Freedom

 Students’ Academic Freedom

 Limits to Academic Freedom