HISTORY OF

PHILIPPINE EDUCATION

EARLY FILIPINOS: BEFORE 1521

The education was not Babaylan and Katalonan were The earliest Filipinos wrote
institutionalized; hence, it was the first teachers who and read using their own
unstructured and informal. imparted beliefs and alphabet called Baybayin.
traditions.

SPANISH PERIOD: 1521-1898

With the clergy and the friars

The education became managing the educational Spanish education
formal with the founding system, teaching the Christian prioritized elites. It also took
of elementary, secondary,  doctrines and reading Spanish time before women’s
and tertiary levels. books were greatly emphasized. education was established.

AMERICAN PERIOD: 1899-1943

With the introduction of new

subjects such as American
History and Good Manners and
Right Conduct, education, as a
colonial tool, was used to impart
American sensibilities.
In spreading the American
cultural values, English
became the primary
medium of instruction.
As part of the 1935
constitution, free education
in public schools all over the
country was provided by the
Commonwealth.

JAPANESE OCCUPATION: 1943-1946

Contrary to the American

educational system, the Education aimed to foster a new
Japanese implemented the Nippongo was taught to stop Filipino culture based on the self-
Military Order No. 2 which aimed English language learning. consciousness of the people as
to enrich the Filipino culture. part of the Greater East Asia.

PRESENT
The enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 Others
encompasses 12 years of education from 4% Reason for Not Attending School,
kindergarten to senior high school. Consequently, Source: PSA 2016
Illness
the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education
Program aims to make students multilingual, 7%
multi-literate, and multicultural in an ever- Looking for work
increasing globalized world. 7% Marriage/family
42%
Lack of interest
20%

High Cost
20%

In spite of the long history of Philippine education, one
in every ten Filipinos aged 6 to 24 years is still currently
out of school. Among their reasons for not attending
school were marriage or family matters and the high
cost of education (see chart).
For education to be more accessible, the Universal
Access to Quality Tertiary Act of 2018 grants free
education in 112 SUCs, 78 LUCs, and all Tech-Voc
programs under TESDA.