Education in Spanish Period

Formal Education System

Primary Tertiary Level

Schools focused on Christian Doctrines

Separate schools for boys and girls

Ilustrados/Rich Filipinos were admitted in schools

Educational Decree of 1983 Spanish government begins accepting Filipinos in schools;

they also established new schools in every town.

Friars controls educational system

Filipinos only managed to enter school at late 19th century.

REFERENCE:
http://www.slideshare.net/ijennaMel/education-in-spanish-era

Education in American Period

Education became a very important issue for the United States colonial government, since it
allowed it to spread their cultural values, particularly the English language, to the Filipino
people.
Every child from age 7 was required to register in schools located in their own town or
province. The students were given free school materials. There were three levels of
education during the American period. The "elementary" level consisted of four primary

years and 3 intermediate years. The "secondary" or high school level consisted of four
years; and the third was the "college" or tertiary level. Religion was not part of the
curriculum of the schools. as it had been during the Spanish period.
In some cases those students who excelled academically were sent to the U.S. to continue
their studies and to become experts in their desired fields or professions. They were called
"scholars" because the government covered all their expenses. In return, they were to teach
or work in government offices after they finished their studies. Some examples of these
successful Filipino scholars were Judge Jos Abad Santos,Francisco Benitez, Dr. Honoria
Sison and Francisco Delgado.
Many elementary and secondary schools from the Spanish era were recycled and new ones
were opened in cities and provinces, among which there were normal, vocational,
agricultural, and business schools. Among the most important colleges during United States
rule were: Philippine Normal School in 1901 ( Philippine Normal University) and other
normal schools throughout the country such as Silliman University (1901),Central Philippine
University (1905), Negros Oriental High School (1902),St. Paul University Dumaguete
(1904), Cebu Normal School (1915) also a university at present, Filamer Christian
University (1904), Iloilo Normal School in 1902 (now West Visayas State University) and
Zamboanga Normal School in 1904 (now Western Mindanao State University) ; National
University (1901); University of Manila (1914); Philippine Women's University (1919); and
Far Eastern University (1933). Examples of vocational schools are: the Philippine Nautical
School, Philippine School of Arts and Trades and the Central Luzon Agriculture School. The
University of the Philippines was also founded in 1908.
Schools were also built in remote areas like Sulu, Mindanao, and the Mountain Provinces,
where attention was given to vocational and health practice.

References:
- Karnow, Stanley. In Our Image: America's Empire in the Philippines, Ballantine Books,
Random House, Inc., March 3, 1990, 536 pages, ISBN 0-345-32816-7

Education during the Japanese Era

Order No. 2 of the Japanese Imperial Forces set up the war-time educational objectives in the
country on February 17, 1942
Education aimed at:
Making the people understand the position of the Philippines as a member of the East Asia Co-

Prosperity Sphere. (to create a Great East Asia, comprising Japan, Manchukuo, China, and parts
of Southeast Asia, that would, according to imperial propaganda, establish a new international
order seeking "co prosperity" for Asian countries which would share prosperity and peace, free
from Western colonialism and domination.)
Eradication of reliance upon Western states
New Filipino culture as Orientals
Elevating the morals of the people giving up over-emphasis on materialism
Diffusion of elementary education and promote vocation education
Use of Japanese language and termination of the use of the English language in schools
Inspiring the people with the spirit to love labor
Agencies
Training done through schools
Vocational
Technical
Agriculture
Opening of vocational schools
Establishment of agricultural schools and colleges (focus on the natural resources of the
Philippines which the Japanese can benefit from it)
Circular content: LOVE FOR LABOR
Emphasize vocational education
Use of Nippongo (Nihonggo)
Physical education
Singing Japanese Songs
Legal Mandate
Proclamation No. 1
Sovereignty of the United States over the Philippines was over and that Martial Law was to
reign
- Made the Philippines a member of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere

References:
Tulio, Doris D. Foundations of Education 2, Mandaluyong City; National Bookstore, 2008
http://www.slideshare.net/ijennaMel/education-in-spanish-era

Karnow, Stanley. In Our Image: America's Empire in the Philippines, Ballantine Books,
Random House, Inc., March 3, 1990, 536 pages, ISBN 0-345-32816-7