PANGANIBAN, MARY ROSE E.

SATURDAY CLASS- 1:00-4:00

MAED- FILIPINO DR. P. LIGAYA

EXISTENTIALISM IS BEST SUITED TO MODERN PHILIPPINE EDUCATION

Basically, the education is a most essential part of any developed nation. Without

education, the person or nation will not get advance. So, it is all good and well that you

have a proper education system in the position for some now. But just how effective really

is it, whether the education system is bad or not. We cannot control education on its

continuous changes.

The education system of the Philippines has been highly influenced by the

country’s colonial history. Although secondary education is not compulsory in the

Philippines, it is widely attended, particularly in the more urban areas of the country.

Modern day education is aided with a variety of technology, computers, projectors,

internet, and many more. Diverse knowledge is being spread among the people.

Everything that can be simplified has been made simpler. Internet provides abysmal

knowledge. There is no end to it. One can learn everything he wishes to. Every topic has

developed into a subject. New inventions and discoveries have revealed the unknown

world to us more variedly.

I think existentialism is the best philosophy suited to modern Philippine education.

Existentialism in education focuses on the individual, seeking out a personal

understanding of the world. Thus each individual characterizes for himself or herself the

concepts of reality, truth and goodness and as a result, schools exist to aid children in

knowing themselves and their place in society.

 The teacher in existentialist education is there to provide pathways for students to

explore their own values, meanings, and choices. In order to do this, learners need to be

aware of as many options and choices as possible; they need to feel empowered and free

to determine their own values and identities; and they need a multiplicity of experiences

to enhance their self-awareness. The teacher’s primary responsibility is to provide all

these things, and to maintain a learning environment where students feel encouraged to

express themselves through discussion, creative projects, and choice of study areas.

The role of the student is to determine their own values and identity. Existentialist

education recognizes the role of both culture and individual nature in identity formation.

The existentialist student maintains a dialogue between the self and cultural values:

considering the self in cultural context, and considering cultural values in relation to the

self. Freedom, choice, and responsibility form a complex interrelation in existentialist

philosophy. The student is free to form and pursue their own values, but that freedom

comes includes taking full responsibility for those values. The existentialist student

accepts responsibility for their own values, feelings, and actions, because these have

been self-generated rather than dictated by an authority.

Now we have good and learned teachers to impart us with knowledge of what they

know. Everyone is a master in his field. Presently our education is based on making us

the best in our area of interest, to help us reach our goals more easily. More of the fact

based knowledge is being grasped by us. What we learn helps us in our career and in

our profession. Professionalism is deep-rooted in our society now and this education

makes us so.