Philippine Curriculum: Historical Background and Development

1. Philippine
Curriculum:
historical background and
development

2. Introduction
Curriculum drives the school—
the education forward. It is the
universal agent, and a catalyst
for development/advancement
in the type of education
afforded to the changing needs
of the learners. Furthermore, it
provides as a free and available
blueprint for the appropriation of
the best and ideal frameworks
and concepts to concretize in
maintaining the quality
education as identified by the
professionals.
2
And finally, it aims to improve
the over-all experience of the
learning and teaching
process—education itself.
Furthermore, it is important to
note that before the realization
of the curriculum that we know
today, there had been many
influences behind its
emergence. There have been
influences from the Pre-
Hispanic, Spanish, American,
and Japanese period.

3. Alrighty!
Let us learn about the historical
background and development of the
Philippine Curriculum.
3

4. “
Pre-
Hispanic
Period
4

5. During this period, there were no formal
schools. The Filipino people’s type of
education was centered on oral, practical,
and hands-on teaching.
The aim of education was to produce
productive members of the community

6. “
SPANISH
PERIOD
6

7. During the Spaniards’
reign, they were able to
establish Christian schools.
However, education was
only privileged to Spanish
students. And it was due to
the enactment of the
Educational Decree of
1863 that boys and girls
were placed in different
schools
Spanish Period
This period is not an exemption
to the anomalies and issues
faced by the Filipinos. The
problems which surfaced during
this time include the lack of
government supervision,
overemphasis on religion, limited
and irrelevant curriculum,
obsolete teaching methods,
poor classroom facilities,
inadequate instructional
materials, discrimination against
Filipino students and absence of
academic freedom.
7

8. 8
Education in the Philippines during the Spaniards’ Governance
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_Philippines_during_Spanish_rule

9. “
AMERICAN
PERIOD
9

10. Then, they proceeded in abolishing compulsory religious instruction, as opposed
to the Spaniards’ teaching. Their education, of course, required the Filipinos to
learn their language. Thus, the Filipino people’s learning to speak in English in
1908 (Act No. 1870). In their reign were the establishment of: 1) Higher Education
Institutions (HEI), 2) creation of Nat’l Council of Education by Pres. Quezon in 1936
as body on educational matters, and 3) Adult Education in 1936.
10
The Americans
established the
Philippine public-
school system for free
education and teacher
training (Taft
Commission Act No.
74), pursued with the
recruitment of
American teachers, or
the establishment of
Thomasites.
https://collections.libraries.indiana.edu/lilly/exhibitions/files/original/40e9de3428ee02b32ec80723e347d7ea.jpg
American Period

11. Finally, in 1940-1941, the national language
was made compulsory. This historical event
was followed by Pres. Quezon’s issuance of
the Code of Ethics. There were also some
adjustments in the Educational Curriculum of
the institutions.
Educational Act of 1940 lessened the years of
complete elementary—from 7 years reduced
into 6. The minimum age to enroll in 1st grade
was 7, and the normal school cycle starts from
July, and ends in April.
11

12. “
JAPANESE
PERIOD
12

13. 13
 In 1942, during the Japanese period, the Japanese Military
Administration order #2 was established which contains the 6
basic principles of Japanese education. A year later, they
reopened schools in June. The Philippine Executive Commission
established the Commission of Education, Health and Public
Welfare. Ministry of education was created on October 14.
 Their school year did not include summer vacation for both
the students and the teachers. The class size increased to 60,
anti-Asian opinions and American influences on literary works
were deleted. The singing of American songs were strictly
prohibited, if not banned. The medium for professional
transaction and/or communication was changed from English to
Nihongo.
 Department of Instruction became Department of Education.
Japanese Period

14. 14
Japanese Period
http://nimblefeeble.blogspot.com/2015/10/notes-on-posters-of-japanese-occupation.html

15. 15
 Regulation and supervision of public and private schools
belonged to the Bureau of Public and Private Schools.
 The Japanese people also believed in nationalistic and
democratic educational system, so the Filipino people were
influenced and encouraged to accept their beliefs.
 Japanese objectives: to inculcate moral and spiritual values
inspired by an abiding faith in God; develop an enlightened,
patriotic, useful and upright citizenry in a democratic society;
conservation of the national resources, perpetuation of our
desirable values; and promote the science, arts and letters for
the enrichment of life and the recognition of the dignity of the
human person.
Japanese Period

16. “
Martial
Law
Period
16

17.  This period significantly improved the
educational status and progress of the
Philippines. Department of Education was
renamed and further strengthened into now
known as Department of Education and Culture.
Then it was changed into Ministry of Education
and Culture.
https://www.pacu.org.ph/history/

18.  1974 was the beginning of bilingual education
 Education Act of 1982 birthed Ministry of
Education, Culture and Sports, then became
Department of Education, Culture and Sports
(1987)
CHED and TESD were established under Exe.
Order No. 117.
https://www.pacu.org.ph/history/

19. “
Philippine
Basic
Education
Curriculum
19

20. NSEC revised RBEC.
The K to 12 Curriculum
encompasses at least
one (1) year of
kindergarten education,
six (6) years of
elementary education
and six (6) of secondary
education, in that
sequence.
Philippine Basic Curriculum
Secondary education
includes four (4) years of
junior high school and two
(2) years of senior high
school
There have also been
standards and principles
established by the
curriculum such as learner-
centered, relevant, 15%
knowledge, and 30%
understandings
20

21. Philippine Basic Curriculum
21
https://asiafoundation.org/2017/04/05/school-congestion-philippines-breakthrough-solution/
https://politics.com.ph/gatchalian-calls-for-urgent-k-12-curriculum-reform2/

22. Philippine
Curriculum:
historical background and
development

23. 23
End.