Philippine Educators and their Values about our Educational System

The educational system in the Philippines had undergone various stages of development until it reached democratic education setting. Through that evolutions where the fingerprint of values of famous Filipino Philosophers and educators whose wisdom greatly influenced our current educational system. They are the guarantors of Filipino’s right for self-determination

Jose Rizal’s concept of the importance of education is enunciated in his work entitled Instruction wherein he sought improvements in the schools and in the methods of teaching.”According to him, the mission of education is to elevate the country to the highest seat of glory and to develop the people’s mentality. Rizal believed that education is the foundation of society and a prerequisite for social progress, only through education could the country be saved from domination.

Camilo O. Osias advocated that the educational system must contribute towards the achievement of the goals of education by inculcating in the minds and hearts of the youth the value of preserving the patrimony of the country, promoting the general welfare of the people

The primary purpose of education, according to Palma, is to develop the individual to his highest efficiency so that he can be of use to himself and to the community. Such a concept is based on the philosophy of altruism and is closely allied to citizenship.

George Bocobo equated education with patriotism and nationalism and believed that education is a means of preparing the individual for a democratic way of life.He stressed that Filipino culture and tradition should be the basis of education in the Philippines. According to him, the e educational concept is closely related to  nationalism and love of country.

Conrado Benitez said the function of our school is neither to fit the individual for the past which is dead and gone, nor to prepare him for a remote future, which is problematic, rather it is to train the individual so that he will be a member of the world as it is.

Francisca Tirona Benitez believed that every Filipina should aspire to be: one who has successfully combined the art of homemaking and the pursuit of a career and still be of service to the community

LOURDES QUISUMBING enunciated that education must strengthen the dignity of the learner as a human person. As such, the various dimensions of man’s personhood have to be fully developed by the school system through an effective and systematized values education”

Venancio Trinindad stated that Education should aim to develop men and women who are as deeply concerned in the development and uplift of our communities, particularly in the rural areas, as in the promotion of their own personal or individual well-being.

T.H. Pardo de Tavera emphasized that Our education should instill love for work, the spirit of tolerance, respect for law, love for peace and practice of thrift.

All the great educators are instilling national patrimony as values in the educational system. It is but important that we know the reason why we need education.AS part of a just society, we are the bearer of future generation. Love of country, general welfare of the people, be in service of others, gender equality and respect of laws must be inculcated  in the minds of the youths through education for preservation of a progressive society.

As a future educator myself, I will safeguard all these values in my students’ thinking and behaviors and make sure that they will develop their potential as a productive member of Philippine society.