Clare S.

Gacad
GCU 114- Nice
March 26, 2015
Status of Education in the Philippines
Everywhere in the world, the importance of education can be understood.
However, just like societal roles, education may differ for each country. Some countries
may have different core beliefs when it comes to education, and just like any important
matter in life, education has and will continue to change to fit the needs of countries.
Since education is an important factor in society, worldwide groups like the United
Nation, have set up Global Initiative on Education. As seen on their website, the UN
Secretary- General has launched a program promoting progress towards education and
education- related millennium development goals. As part of their program launch, the
UN focuses on three priorities within education: Put every child in school, improve the
quality of learning, and foster global citizenship. Just like every country, the Philippines
has its own set of history within the topic of education and how it is taking part in making
sure that the UNs three priorities are being met.
Every country goes through changes with the topic of education. Education in the
Philippines has gone through changes and improvements over the years. As early as the
pre- Spanish times of the Philippines, education was informal and children were provided
with more vocational training by their parents inside the comforts of their own homes
("Historical Perspective of the Philippine Educational System"). During the first decade
of American rule, the Schurman Commission was established so that there was a free
public school system. The Taft Commission enforced people who were trained for the
duties of citizenship taught the free public systems and avocation. During 1901, the

Philippine Commission by virtue of Act No.74 installed a highly centralized public

school system (Historical Perspective of the Philippine Educational System).
The education system in the Philippines consists of, six years of elementary
(primary education), four years of junior high school (secondary education), 2 years of
senior high school, and further education was provided by technical or vocational schools
or in higher education institutions (Basic Education Program). This system was placed in
order for each student to be able to master key concepts and skills by the time they got to
higher education. All the public schools in the Philippines must start classes on the date
mandated by the Department of Education and must end after completing a mandated 200
day school calendar (Historical Perspective of the Philippine Education System).
By looking at Vision, Mission, Core values, and mandate of the Department of
Education in the Philippines, it can be clearly seen that they are meeting and working on
the UNs priorities for Global Education Initiative. The vision of the Department of
Education states that they dream of Filipinos whose values and competencies enable them
to realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to building the nation (The
DepEd Vision). Through this vision, the Department of Education in the Philippines
focuses on making a learner- centered public institution as well as making sure they are
constantly improving to better serve the nation. The mission statement of the department
of education also states the ability to protect and promote the right of every Filipino to
quality, equitable, culture-based, and complete basic education where students have
access to a safe and motivating environment, have teachers who facilitate learning, and
have supportive administration and staff. From the mission statement, it can be well
acknowledged that the Department of Education in the Philippines is making sure that all

elementary and secondary education institutions follow policies and programs that will
enrich the education of Filipino students. With regards to making sure that every child is
in school, there are Youth Advocacy groups that are promoting achieving learning for all
students through inclusive education perspective and practices.
On the other hand, just like all countries there are minor bumps in the road that
can hinder the quality of education in countries. A main issue in the Philippines is the
lack of resources as well as its economic situation. One of the main issues studied by
Professor Otsuka who wrote about the current situation of formal education in the
Philippines, explained how there are not enough teaching materials in the Philippines. In
impoverish parts of the Philippines; the quality of education is different than the main
cities of the Philippines. This goes to show how environment can go hand in hand with
the quality of education a student gets. Although some parts of the Philippines may be
lacking in resources, the Department of Education keeps an eye on what needs to be done
and what changes can be made to ensure that education can be an equal opportunity for
all.
Overall, the Philippines education structure has a great mission and vision for
Filipino students. It is not made to be perfect, but made to be changeable and improved
throughout the years. The Department of Education is continually striving to match the
efforts and priorities of the United Nations Global Education Initiatives.

Sources: Department of Education. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from http://www.deped.gov.ph/kto12/about/curriculum-guides
(n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from http://www.unevoc.unesco.org/wtdb/2.jpg
Historical Perspective of the Philippine Educational System. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from http://www.deped.gov.ph/about/history
Otsuka, Yutaka (n.d.). A. The Current Situation of Formal Education in the Philippines. Retrieved October 17, 2014 from
http://www.gsid.nagoyau.ac.jp/project/fieldwork/ofw/OFW_Report/2000/WG2.pdf