The History of Education

The History of Education
From EHEF Manila, Philippines

Education has been a priority in the Philippines for decades, and this is evidenced in the fact that many of the advancements in education in Asia have been pioneered in the Philippines. In fact, the Philippines was home to the first modern public schooling system in Asia. It is also home to the oldest universities, colleges, and vocational schools. While controlled by colonial rule for several years, once the Philippines gained their independence they took over control of the educational system and began to move it in their own direction. Children in the Philippines are educated in the primary and secondary school systems for about thirteen to fourteen years, depending on when they start, after which they complete the College Entrance Examinations, that allow them to qualify for one of the many institutions of higher learning. There are both private and public schools in the Philippines, and on the whole the education provided by the private schools is much more comprehensive than that provided by the public school system.

When the Spanish first arrived in the Philippines, education of the indigenous people was mainly viewed as the duty of religious organizations. Parish friars put forth great effort to teach the indigenous people to read believing that literacy was the key to better lifestyles. During the 16th century the Franciscans, Jesuits, and Augustinians all established schools in the Philippines. Later on during American rule the first public schooling was set up and more than 1,000 teachers came from the United States between 1901 and 1902. During this time a university was also established to train native Filipino teachers.

During the 1970′s and 1980′s President Marcos decentralized the office that oversaw education in the Philippines, and it eventually became the Ministry of Education and Culture. In subsequent years laws and referendums have been drafted to improve the quality of the... [continues]

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