Lesson 19:

Milestone in the
Development of
Educational system in
the Philippines
 Lesson 1:
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE
PHILIPPINE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
 

A highly centralized public-school system was installed in 1901 by the

Philippine Commission by virtue of Act No. 74.

The high school system supported by provincial governments, special education

institutions, school of arts and trades, an agricultural school, and commerce and
marine institutes were established in 1902 by the Philippine Commission.

In 1908, the Philippine Legislature approved Act No. 1870 which created the
University of the Philippines.

Japanese education policies were embodied in Military Order No. 2 in 1942. The
Philippine Executive Commission establish the Commission of Education,
Health and Public Welfare and schools were reopened in June 1942.
3
YEAR OFICIAL NAME OFICIAL NAME LEGAL BASES
         
1863 Superior Commission of Superior Commission of Educational degree of 1863
Primary Primary  
  Instruction Instruction  
     
1901-1916 Department of Public Department of Public Act No. 74 of the Philippine
  Instruction Instruction Commission Jan 21, 1901
       
      Organic Act Law of 1916 (Jones
1916-1942 Department of Public Department of Public Law)
Instruction Instruction

1942-1944 Department of Education, Commissioner Renamed by the Japanese Exec.

  Health and Public Welfare   Commission, June 11, 1947
       
     
1944 Department of Education, Minister Renamed by Japanese
Health and Public Welfare   Sponsored Philippine Republic
   
1944 (same year) Department of Public Secretary Renamed by Japanese
Instruction Sponsored Philippine Republic

4
1945-1946
  Department of Public  Secretary Renamed by the Commonwealth
  Instruction and Information   Government
       
1946-1947 Department of Instruction Secretary Renamed by the Commonwealth
      Government
       
1947-1975 Department of Education Secretary E.O. No. 94 October 1947
      (Reorganization Act of 1947)
       
1975-1978 Department of Education Secretary Proc. No. 1081, September 24,
  and Culture   1972
       
   
1978-1984 Ministry of Education and Minister Proc No. 1397, June 2, 1978
  Culture    
       
1984-1986 Ministry of Education, Minister Education Act of 1982
  Culture and Sports  
       
1987-2001 Department of Education, Secretary E.O. No. 117 January 30, 1987
  Culture and Sports  
       
2002-Present Department of Education Secretary R.A. No. 9155

5
 Lesson 2:
JOURNEY TOWARS BASIC EDUCATION
CURRICULAR REFORMS: 1946-2011
Grade Level 1946-1956 1957-1972 1973-1988 1989-2001 2002-2011 2012-2013
 
Year IV (grade 10) 2-2 Plan Revised 2002 Basic
 College Prep Secondary Education
Year III (Grade Curriculum Education Curriculum
9)  Vocational Prep Program 2010
Year II  Electives Secondary
(Grade 8) Offered Education Roll-out
Curriculum implementation of
Year 1 General
Grade 1 and Grade 7
of the K-12
(Grade 7) Curriculum

New
Secondary
Education
Curriculum R.A. 10157
(NSEC) Kindergarte
n Education
Act

Grade 6 1957-1982 1983-2001 2002-2011 2012

Education 2011 Kindergarten
7
 1946-1956

• The establishment of the commonwealth, called for a reorientation of educational plans and
policies to conform to the requirements of revised form of government.
• The 1935 constitution provided certain educational objectives such as the development of moral
character, personal discipline, civic conscience, vocational efficiency and citizenship training.
• To carry out the Constitutional mandate a revision of the elementary curriculum was made to
include the teaching of the National Language obligatory.
• Another development was the shortening of the elementary curriculum from seven to six years
to admit more children of school age.
• The Educational Act of 1940, then called the “Magna Carta” of the Philippines, provided for the
system of public elementary education and its matter of financing. 8
 

Legislation affecting basic education wer4e passed included the following:

1. Commonwealth Act No. 586 Approved on August 7, 1940. An act to provide a revision
of the System of Public Elementary Education in the Philippines including the
Financing thereof.
2. Commonwealth Act No. 589 Approved on August 19, 1940. An Act establishing a
School Ritual in All Public and Private Elementary and secondary schools. (Section 2
of this Act Provides “the school ritual shall consist of solemn and patriotic ceremonies
and shall mainly include the singing of the Philippine National Anthem Hymn, and the
recitation by the pupils or student assembled of a patriotic pledge by a committee
provided for in this Act”).
3. Republic Act No. 896 Approved on June 20, 1953. An act Declare the Policy on
Elementary Education in the Philippines.
9
 

The fundamental objectives of education were as follows:

1. To inculcate moral and spiritual values inspired by an abiding faith in God.

2. To dev3elop an enlightened, patriotic, useful and upright citizenry in a democratic
society.
3. To instill habits of industry and thrift, and to prepare individuals to contribute to the
economic development and wise conservation of the Nation’s natural resources.
4. To maintain family solidarity, to improve community life, to perpetuate all that is
desirable in our national heritage, and to serve the cause of world peace.
5. To promote the sciences, arts and letters for enrichment of life and recognition of
dignity of the human person.

10
 

Objectives of elementary education:

The elementary school should offer adequate education for our children
to prepare them for democratic citizenship. It should give instruction in
basic knowledge, develop basic skills and attitudes, and inculcate ideas
necessary for the promotion of national solidarity, and for the development
of an enlightened, patriotic, useful, and upright citizenry in a democracy.
Giving emphasis to the culture desirable traditions, and virtues of our
people, it should prepare the child for effective participation in his
community and for a better understanding of an expanding society. (BNE
reportm1955)
11
 

Objectives of secondary education:

The secondary school shall continue the unifying function of

elementary education by providing general education and shall
seek to discover the varying abilities, interests and aptitudes of
the youth, and offer courses in different fields of productive
endeavor according to the talents of the youth and in the light of
community needs. It shall also initiate a program designed to
develop community leadership.
12
 1957-1982
Elementary Education

• The Revised Elementary Education Curriculum was gradually affected beginning the school
year 1957-1958.
• The vernacular was the auxiliary medium of instruction in Grades I and II; Pilipino and
English were offered as subjects.
• The Continues Progression Scheme (CPS) was implemented in the elementary during the SY
1970-1971 but due to some misconceptions, it was literally construed as mass promotion,
hence many non-readers were promoted to the next grade level.
• The non-cooperation of many parents for their children to attend summer tutorial classes added
to the non-institutionalization of the CPS.
13
  Table 2: MINIMUM TIME ALLOTMENT FOR THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Number of Minutes a Day
Subject Area I-II III-IV V-VI
 
I. Social Studies 40 50 50
 
II. Work Education 40 60 80
 
III.Health and Science 40 40 50
 
IV. Language Arts 110 110 120
 
V. Arithmetic 40 40 50
 
VI.Arts and Science 40 40 50
 

TOTAL 310 340 40

14
 1957-1872
Secondary Education

• One feature of the 1957-1972 reform was the offering of Character Education and Good
Manners and Right Conduct as “a separate subject in the elementary and secondary curricula in
all public and private schools
a. Elementary level – Good Manners and Right Conduct – everyday in the most suitable language
in all grade levels during the opening exercises.
b. Character Education and Right conduct shall be given in English for a period of 40 minutes
once a week. (Department order no. 5, s. 1958 dated August 1, 1958).
• The 2 -2 Plan Curriculum was considered by the Swanson Survey Team, in theory and
philosophy as an “advanced step in the improvement of high school curriculum”
• Streaming the students into college preparatory and vocational was deemed “unfair” by parents
15
Table 3: THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF THE SECONDARY GENERAL
CURRICULUM
  AND THE 2-2 plan
Curriculum under the 2-2 Plan
Subjects Common College Prep. Vocational
I-II III IV Year III IV Total
Year Year Year Year
English 2 2 2 6 1 1 4
Filipino Language 2 1 1 4 1½ 1½ 3
Social Science 2 1 1 4 1 1 4
Guidance Service
Mathematics 2 2 2 6 1 1 4
Science 2 2 2 6 1 1 3
Health, P.E., and PMT 2 1 1 4 1½ 1½ 4
 
Work Experience or Vocational 4 _ _ 4 4 4 12
Education for Boys or Home
Economics for Girls
16
Total 16 9 9 34 9 9 34
 1973-1988
Secondary Education

• The Revised Secondary Education Program (RSEP) replaced the 2 – 2 Plan in 1973.
• Exploratory courses were offered that would expose the students to specialization in the third
and fourth years.
• The RSEP implemented starting SY 1973-1974 introduced the by the hour programming
instead of 40 minutes by learning area.
• The Bilingual Education Policy was likewise issued as Dept. Order No. 25, s. 1974
• Revised Teacher Education Curriculum embodied in Dept. Order No. 8, s. 1970 based on
the following principles: reorientation of teacher education to Philippine needs, conditions, and
aspirations; coordination and freedom as a necessary safeguard against proliferation both in
content and procedure; institutional cooperation and sharing through participation of teacher
education institutions in a system of educational consortium; quality :control” through an
adequate system of :control” 17
 1989-2001
The New Secondary Education Curriculum

• The conceptualization of the New Secondary School curriculum (NSEC) began in 1982 in
preparation for the graduates of the New Elementary School Curriculum (NESC) implemented
starting SY 1982-83 in Grade 1.
• The first full beneficiaries of the new elementary school curriculum were graduated in March
1989, and they also became the first beneficiaries of the NSEC under the Secondary Education
Development Program 9SEDP).
• The NSEC was implemented in all secondary schools in the Philippines starting with First Year
in SY 1989-90. However, the curriculum underwent a macro tryout from 985-1989.
• Subsequently from SY 1989-90 to SY 1992-93, additional evaluation was carried out as the
NSEC was implemented in the succeeding year levels, one year level at a time.
• In SY 1992-93, all four-year levels of the high school curriculum are evaluated through
achievement tests. 18
 

Assessment of the student achievement under the NSEC has been a major dimension of the evaluation of
SEDP. (Llagas,m 1994).
Objectives of the New Secondary Education Curriculum (NSEC):
1. Develop an enlightened commitment to the national ideals by cherishing , preserving and developing moral,
spiritual and socio-cultural values as well as other desirable aspects of the Filipino heritage;
2. Obtain knowledge and form desirable attitudes for understanding the nature and purpose of man and
therefore, of one’s own people, and other races, places and time, thereby promoting a keen sense of self, of
family and of national and international situations;
3. Develop skills in higher intellectual operations and more complex comprehension and expression activities,
and in thinking intelligently, critically and creatively in life’s situations;
4. Acquire work skills, knowledge and information and a work ethic essential for making an intelligent choice
of the occupation for career and for specialized training in specific occupations; and
5. Broaden and heighten one’s abilities in and appreciation for the arts, and science and technology as a means
for maximizing one’s potential for self-fulfillment and for promoting the welfare of others.
19
 

Level of yearly implementation

1989 – 1990 – First Year 1992 – 1993 – Fourth Year

1990 – 1991 – Second Year 1993 – 1994 – Project Completion Report
1991 – 1992 – Third Year 1994 – 1995 – Project Impact Report

20
Table 4: NEW SECONDARY EDUCATION CURRICULUM
 
Subjects 1ST Year 2nd Year 3RD Year 4TH Year Total no.
MIN. UNIT MIN. UNIT MIN. UNIT MIN. UNIT of Units

English 200 1 200 1 200 1 200 1 4

Filipino 200 1 200 1 200 1 200 1 4
Science and Tech 400 2 400 2 400 2 400 2 8
Mathematics 200 1 200 1 200 1 200 1  4
Social studies 200 1 200 1 200 1 200 1 4
PE Health and 200 1 200 1 200 1 200 1 4
Music 200 1 200 1 200 1 200 1 4
Values Educ. 400 2 400 2 400 2 400 2 8
Technology and        
Home Economics

10 10 10 10 40
TOTAL

21
 1983 - 2001
Elementary Education

Experimental Elementary Education Program (EEEP). To implement the recommendation of SOUTELE, the
Experimental Elementary Education Program (EEEP) was launched by the Bureau of Elementary Education in 1978.
It was conducted for two years on an experimental basis.

Program for Comprehensive Elementary Education (PROCEED). The impact of the aforementioned research
paved the way for the development of a 10-year (1980-1990) Program for Comprehensive Elementary Education
now better known for its acronym, PROCEED.

The Program for Decentralized Education Development (PRODED). To serve as a launching pad for the major
reform envisioned in PROCEED, a Program for Decentralized Educational Development which became well-known
for its acronym PRODED was installed. PRODED actually covers the first 4 years of the 10-year development
program PROCEED.
22
MEC Order No. 6, s. 1982 issued on January 29, 1982, set the
implementation of the NESC effective SY 1983 – 1984 following this time
table:
Grade I - 1983
Grade II - 1984
Grade III - 1985
Grade IV - 1986
Grade V - 1987
Grade VI - 1988

23
 In closure to MEC Order No. 6 is the daily time allotment for the NESCF.
Table 5: The New Elementary School Curriculum

Subject Areas Daily Time Allotment

II II III IV V VI
Character Building Activities 20-30 20-30 20 20 20 20
Filipino 60 60 60 60 60 60
English 60 60 60 60 60 60
Mathematics 40 40 40 40 40 40
Sibika at Kultura 40 40 40 40 40 40
Heograpiya/kasaysayan - - 40 40 40 40
Science and Health - - - - - -
Mga Sining at Edukasyong - - - - - -
Pagpapalakas - - 40 40 40 40
Edukasyong Pantahanan at
Pangkabuhayan

24
Total Minutes Daily 220-230 220-230 300 340 360 360
 2002 - 2011

DepEd Order No. 25, s. 2002 dated June 17, ordered the
implementation of the 2002 Basic Education Curriculum during the
SY 2002 – 2003. . The Philippine Commission on Educational;
Reforms (PCER) created on December 7, 1998, through Executive
Order No. 46, recommended the adoption of BEC. One feature of
the curriculum is Makabayan, integrating the learning areas of
Values Education, PEHM, Araling Panlipunan and Technology and
Home Economics. 25
  

2010 Secondary Curriculum

• Per DepEd Order No. 76, s. 2010 dated June 4, 2010, the 2010 Secondary
Education Curriculum (SEC) was implemented in the first-year level only.
• The refinement of the curriculum followed the Understanding by Design (UbD)
framework which covers three stages: Stage 1: Results\Desired Outcome; Stage
2: Assessment; and Stage 3: Learning\Instructional Plan.
• R.A. 10157 entitled An Act Institutionalizing the Kindergarten Education
into the Basic Education System and Appropriating Funds therefor was
approved on January 20, 2012.
26
  

2012 – 2013

The Roll-out implementation of the K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum for Grade I and Grade 7 shall start during
the SY 2012-2013.

It could be noted that the 12-year Basic Education Cycle is first in the 10-point agenda of President Benigno Aquino,
to wit:
1. Expansion to a 12-year Basic Education Cycle 2.Universal Pre-school
3. Madrasah Education 4.Tech-Voc Education in Senior High School
5. Every child a reader by Grade 1 6. Proficiency in Math and Science
7. Assistance to Private School 8. Multilingual Education
27
9. Quality Textbooks 10 .Covenant with LGUs to Build More Schools
 REPORTERS:

Thank you ANGULO, PRINCESS-ROSE L.

SINGCO, MICAH V.