HISTORICAL FOUNDATION

Chapter 2
OF EDUCATION
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

At the end of this Chapter, you should be able to:

 State the relationship of society and schools

 Prove that school transmit cultural values by stating facts from education history in the world and
in the Philippines
 Explain the meaning of socialization as function of schools

“When a school introduces and

trains each child of society into Let your mind answer this questions
membership within such a little based on John Dewey;
community, saturating him with 1. What is the function of
the spirit of service, and providing schools according to John
him with the instruments of Dewey’s statement?
effective self-direction, we shall 2. Who creates schools?
have the deepest and best 3. What is the relationship
guaranty of a larger society which between schools and society
is worthy, lovely, and
harmonious.”
Let’s Conceptualize
Education or school is an institution created by society. Education is a function of society and as
such arises from the nature and character of society itself. Society seeks to preserve itself and to do this
it maintains its functions and institutions, one of which is education, to assure its survival, stability and
convenience.

As Dewey claimed, it is the school that “introduces and trains each child of society into
membership within such a little community, saturating him with the spirit of service, and providing him
with the instruments of effective self-direction…” When schools succeed to do this, in the words of
Dewey “we shall have the deepest and best guaranty of a larger society which is worthy, harmonious,
and lovely.

This is called the socialization process. Socialization is the “process of learning the roles, statuses
and values necessary for participation in social institutions. …” (Brinkerhoff, D., 1989)

Socialization is a lifelong process. It occurs primarily during early childhood but as we progress
from infancy to old age we shed old roles is termed anticipatory socialization. (Brinkerhoff, D., 1989)
Because of anticipatory socialization most of us are more or less prepared for our future roles like
spouse, parent, and professional teacher.

The family is the most important agent of socialization. Psychology tells us that self-concept
formed during childhood has lasting consequences. Besides, “the parents’ religion, social class and
ethnicity influence the child’s social roles and self-concept which in turn influence the expectations that
others have for the child, and they determine the groups with which the child will interact outside the
family”. (Brinkerhoff, D., 1989)

The school is also an important agent of socialization. It is an institution charged by society to

impart specific knowledge and skills necessary for functioning in a society, they are also charged with
the task of transmitting society’s culture values. The next part of this Chapter is devoted to how schools
(formal or informal) did their task as agents of socialization in different periods of history.

Education in Primitive Society

Brinkerhoff (1989) explains further:

In primitive societies, preliterate persons faced the problem of survival in an environment that
pitted them against natural forces and wild animals. To survive, human beings needed food, shelter,
warmth and clothing. To transform a hostile environment into one that is life-sustaining, humankind
developed life skills that eventually become cultural patterns.

These life skills included 1) dual or instrument making, 2) adherence to the moral behaviour code
of group life and 3) language.

Early humankind found security in group life based on kinship and tribal patterns. Life in the
human group was educational as children observed and learned from the elders and as they were
deliberately taught by their parents and elders. For these cultural patterns to continue, the adults had to
teach these skills and values to their children. This is socialization, a function of education in society.
Socialization is the process by which individuals internalize the norms and values of society and so social
and cultural continuity are attained. This is also informal education in action.

As abstract thinkers, human beings could create, use and manipulate symbols. They could
communicate with one another through gestures, sounds and words. These symbols were expressed in
signs, pictographs and letters. The creation and introduction of oral and written language made a great
leap on literacy which in turn had tremendous educational consequences which citizens of a civilized
society like netizens of the 21st century now enjoy.

Key Periods in Educational History

Below are key periods in educational history from 7000 B.C. to AD 1600. Study the table
thoroughly. The notes should make you see that education and school are a function of society and
schools reflect the nature and character of society itself. What society considers important is what
education focuses on to preserve society.

Table 1. Points of Emphasis on Education in History

Key Periods in Educational History, 1000 BC to A.D. 1600

Historical Group Educational Curriculum Agents Influences on
or Period Goals Western
Education
Primitive societies To teach group Practical skills of Parents, tribal Emphasis on the
7000 B.C.- 5000 survival skills; to hunting, fishing, elder, and priests role of informal
B.C. cultivate group food gathering education in
cohesiveness stories, myths, transmission of
songs, poems, skills and values
dances
Greek 1600 B.C. – To cultivate civic Athenian: reading, Athens: private Athens: The
300 B.C responsibility and writhing, teachers and concept of the
identify with city- arithmetic, schools; Sophists; well-rounded,
state; drama, music, philosophers liberally educated
physical person
Athenian: to education, Sparta: military
develop well- literature, poetry teachers, drill Sparta: The
rounded person sergeants concept of the
Spartan: drill, military state
Spartan: to military songs and
develop soldiers tactics
and military
leaders
Roman 750 B.C – To develop sense Reading, writings, Private schools Emphasis on
A.D. 450 of civic arithmetic, Laws and teachers; ability to use
responsibility for of Twelve Tables, schools of education for
republic and then law, philosophy rhetoric practical
empire: to administrative
develop skills; relating
administrative education to civic
and military skills responsibility
Arabic A.D. 700 – To cultivate Reading, writing, Mosques; court Arabic numerals
A.D. 1350 religious mathematics, schools and computation;
commitment to religious re-entry of
Islamic beliefs; to literature; classical materials
develop expertise scientific studies on science and
in mathematics, medicine
medicine, and
science
Medieval A.D. 500 To develop Reading, writing, Parish, chantry, Establishing the
- A.D. 1400 religious arithmetic, liberal and cathedral structure,
commitment, arts,; philosophy, schools; content, and
knowledge, and theology; crafts; universities; organization of
ritual; to re- military tactics apprenticeship; the university as a
establish social and chivalry knighthood major institution
order; to prepare of higher
persons for education; the
appropriate roles institution and
preservation of
knowledge
Renaissance A.D. To cultivate a Latin, Greek, Classical humanist An emphasis on
1350 - A.D. 1500 humanist who classical educators and literary
was expert in the literature, poetry, schools such as knowledge,
classics – Greek art lycee, gymnasium, excellence, and
and Latin; to Latin grammar style as expressed
prepare courtiers school in classical
for service to literature; a two-
dynastic leaders track system of
schools
Reformation A.D. To cultivate a Reading, writing, Vernacular A commitment to
1500 - A.D. 1600 sense of arithmetic, elementary universal
commitment to a catechism, schools for the education to
particular religious concepts masses; classical provide literacy to
religious and ritual; Latin schools for the the masses; the
denomination; to and Greek; upper classes origins of school
cultivate general theology systems with
literacy supervision to
ensure doctrinal
conformity

In primitive societies survival against natural forces was the need and so what were taught were
survival skills and values to cultivate a group cohesiveness.
For the Athenian in ancient Greece, what mattered most in education was the rounded
development of every individual while for the Spartan it was the development of soldiers and military
leaders.

For early Romans, schools needed to develop a sense of civic responsibility and to develop
administrative and military skills as citizens of Roman Empire.

For the ancient Arabic world where Islam rose the most important concern of education was to
cultivate religious commitment to Islamic beliefs.

During the Medieval period, schools were concerns with the development of religious
commitment, knowledge and ritual to establish order.

Renaissance period was a fervent period of European cultural, artistic, political and economic
“rebirth” following the Middle Ages. Education was focused on the rediscovery of classical philosophy,
literature and art.

The Reformation period had as for its education goals the cultivation of a sense of commitment to
a particular religious denomination and general literacy.

The History of the Philippine Educational System

Let us also see how the nature and character of Philippine society are reflected in the education
process in different periods of Philippine history.

As you study the summary of the Philippine educational system, just remember this sociological
concept, which is the focus of this Chapter – that education is a function of society and as such what
are taught in schools arise from the nature and character of society itself. What society considers
important is what school teach. Be ready to answer this question at the end: What was/were the
focus/foci of education or schools during the: 1) pre-colonial period, 2) Spanish period, 3) American
regime, 4) Japanese occupation and 5) post-colonial period.

Education during the Pre-colonial period

Education was informal and unstructured, decentralized. Fathers taught their sons how to look for
food and other means of livelihood. Mothers taught their girls to do the household chores. This
education basically prepared their children to become good husband and wives. Children were provided
more vocational training but lesser academics. Teachers were tribal tutors (Babaylan or Katalonan).

Education during the Spanish Era

Education was formal and organized. It was authoritarian in nature. Tribal tutors of the pre-
Spanish period were replaced by Spanish missionaries. Pupils attended formal schooling in the parochial
school. Instruction was Religion-oriented. Christian doctrines, sacred songs and music and prayers were
taught because they were required for confession and communion. There was a separate school for
boys and girls. Wealthy Filipinos or the ilustrados were accommodated in the schools.

The Education Decree of 1863

 This law gave Filipinos a complete system of education from elementary to the collegiate level.
The law provided for the establishment of the elementary schools in all municipalities in the
country. Although religion was the core of the curriculum, the curriculum included subjects
reading, writing, arithmetic, and history Christian doctrine, Spanish language, and vocal music,
agriculture for the boys and needlework for the girls. Attendance in school was compulsory
between the ages of seven to twelve.

Education during the American Regime 1898-1946

The American promoted democratic ideals and the democratic way of life. The schools maintained
by the Spaniards for more than three centuries were closed but were reopened on August 29, 1898 by
the Secretary of the Interior. A system of free and compulsory elementary education was established by
the Malolos Constitution

(Political Constitution of 1899). In May 1898, the first American schools was established in
Corregidor, and shortly after the capture of Manila in 1899, seven schools were opened in the city.

Training was done through the schools both public and secular manned by Chaplains and Military
Officers of the US Army.

Thomasites arrived in the Philippines on August 23, 1901. – The University of the Philippines was
founded in 1908. UP was the first state school of university status.

The Department of PUBLIC Instruction set up a three level school system. The first level considered
a four-year primary and three-year intermediate or seven-year curriculum. The second level was a four-
year junior college and later a four year program.

The Commonwealth Period (1935-1942)

 Free education in public schools was provided all over the country, in accordance with the 1935
Constitution.
 Vocational education and some household activities like sewing, cooking, and farming were also
given importance.
 Education also emphasized nationalism so the students were taught about the life of Filipino
heroes.
 Vocational education and some household activities were also given importance. Good manners
and discipline were also taught to the students.
 The institute of private education was established in order to observe private schools.
 Formal adult education was also given.
Executive Order No. 134 (of 1936) was signed by Pres. Manuel L. Quezon designating Tagalog as our
National Language.

 Executive Order No. 217 otherwise known as the Quezon Code of Ethics was thought in Schools
 Executive Order No. 263 in (1940) required the teaching of the Filipino, national language in the
senior year of all high schools and in all years in the normal schools.

The Education Act of 1940 (C.A. 586) was approved by the Philippine Assembly on August 7, 1940, which
provided for the following:

 Reduction of the 7 year elementary course to 6 years

 Fixing the school entrance age at 7
 National support for elementary education
 Compulsory attendance of primary children enrolled in Grade I
 Adoption of double-single sessions in the primary grade with one teacher one class assignment
of intermediate teachers.

The Japanese Occupation

Aims of education during Japanese occupation:

 Make the people understand the position of the Philippines as a member of the East Asian Co-
Prosperity Sphere
 Eradication of the idea of reliance upon Western States particularly the US and Great Britain
 Fostering a new Filipino culture based on the consciousness of the people as Orientals
 Elevating the moral of the people giving up over-emphasis on materialism
 Diffusion of elementary education and promotion of vocation education
 Striving for the diffusion of the Japanese language in the Philippines and the termination of the
use of English in schools
 Developing in people the love of labor

Post-Colonial Philippines
 Education at the full of realization of the democratic ideals and way of life.
 The Civil Service Eligibility of teachers was made permanent pursuant to R.A. 1079 in June 15,
1954.
 A daily flag ceremony was made compulsory in all schools including the singing of the National
Anthem pursuant to R.A. 1265 approved on June 11,1955
 Curricular offerings all in schools, the life, the works and writings of Jose Rizal especially the Noli
Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo shall be included in all levels.
 Elementary education was nationalized and matriculation fees were abolished.
 Magna Carta for Teachers was passed into law by virtue of R.A. 4670
The fundamentals aims of education in the 1973 Constitution are: - foster love – teach the duties
of citizenship – develop moral character, self-discipline and scientific, technological and vocational
efficiency

Other Developments
 Integration of values in all learning areas
 Emphasis on mastery learning
 YDT and CAT introduced as new courses Media of Instruction-Bilingual Education Policy:
Mandates the use of English and Filipino separately as media of instruction in schools.
 Education Act of 1982 – created the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports.
 NCEE – National College Entrance Examination introduced – Executive Order No. 117 – President
Corazon C. Aquino renamed Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) in 1987
 Creation of the Board for Professional Teachers composed of under PRC
 Replacement of PBET (Professional Board Examination for Teachers) by LET (Licensure
Examination for Teachers)
 Transfer authority of administering the LET from CSC and DECS to the Board of Professional
Teachers under PRC
 Trifocalization of Education System
 The trifocal education system refocused DECS’ mandate to basic education which covers
elementary, secondary and nonformal education, including culture and sports. TESDA now
ministers the post-secondary, middle-level manpower training and development R.A. 7796 –
Technical Education and Skills Development Act of 1994
 CHED is responsible for higher education. R.A. 7722 – Higher Education Act of 1994
 In August 2001, Republic Act 9155, otherwise called the Governance of Basic Education Act, was
passed transforming the name of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) to the Department of
Education (DepEd) and redefining the role of field offices (regional offices, division offices,
district offices and schools). RA 9155 provide the overall framework for (i) school head
empowerment by strengthening their leadership roles and (ii) school-based management within
the context of transparency and local accountability. The goal of basic education is to provide
the school age population and young adults with skills, knowledge, and values to become caring,
self-reliant, productive and patriotic citizens.
 Governance of Basic Education Act (R.A. 9155); was passed renaming the DECS to DepEd and
redefining the role of field offices which include the regional offices, division offices, district
offices and schools
 Values Education is offered as a separate subject in NSEC and integrated in all subject areas in
both curricula – Implementation of New Secondary Education Curriculum (NSEC)
 R.A. 10157, Jan. 20, 2012 - Kindergarten Act, an act institutionalizing the kindergarten education
into the basic education system
 K to 12 Program (R.A. 10533), May 15, 2013 – The K to 12 Program covers Kindergarten and 12
years of basic education (six years primary education, four years of Junior High School, and two
years of Senior High School (SHS) to provide sufficient time for mastery of concepts and skills,
develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary education, middle-level skills
development, employment, and entrepreneurship.

The Varied Goals of Education in Different Historical Periods of Philippines history

What was considered important in each historical period of the country was also the focus or
direction of the education of the Filipino.

During the pre-colonial period, students were given vocational training but lesser academics for
them to be good fathers and mothers. During Spanish period, schools focused on religious formation to
help them live the Christian faith. The American regime educated the Filipinos to become good citizens
of a democratic country while the Japanese regime taught them the love of labor. The post-colonial
period educational system was devoted to the following goals: 1) foster love of country; 2) teach the
duties of citizenship; 3) develop moral character self-discipline; and 4) scientific, technological and
vocational efficiency. The present DepEd vision and mission statement and core values and the fourth
mission of the Commission on Higher Education add light to the present goals of Philippine education.
They are given below:

To produce thoughtful graduates imbued with 1) values reflective of a humanist orientation (e.g.
fundamental respect for others as human beings with intrinsic rights, cultural rootedness, avocation to
serve; 2) analytical and problem-solving skills; 3) the ability to think things through ethical and social
implication of a given source of action; and 4) the competency to learn continuously throughout life ---
that will enable them live meaningfully in a complex, rapidly changing and globalized world while
engaging (in) their community and the nation’s development issues and concern. – Commission on
Higher Education

The Department of Education has the following vision, mission and core values:

The DepEd Vision

We dream of Filipinos

who passionately love their country

and whose values and competencies

enable them to realize their full potential

and contribute meaningfully to building the nation…

The DepEd Mission

To protect and promote the right of every Filipino to quality, equitable, culture-based, and
complete basic education where:

Students learn in a child-friendly, gender-sensitive, safe, and motivating environment.

Teachers facilitate learning and constantly nurture every learner.

Administrators and staff, as stewards of the institution, ensure and enabling and supportive
environment for effective learning to happen.

Family, community, and other stakeholders are actively engaged and share responsibility for
developing life-long leaners.

Our Core Values

Maka-Diyos

Maka-tao

Makakalikasan

Makabansa

The Importance of Studying History of Education

Why do we have to bother with the educational goals of the past which is past and so we can no
longer undo? Dewey explains why a study of the history of education is valuable:

1. Educational issues and problems are often rooted in the past; the study of educational
history can help us to understand and solve today’s problems,
2. Realistic effort to reform education begin with present conditions which are a product of our
past; by using our past, we can shape the future.
3. The study of education’s past provides a perspective that explains and illuminates our
present activities as teachers.

Application – Let’s Apply

1. Why was the focus of education different for different groups of people in different places and
at different periods in world history? What does this point to regarding relationship of schools
and society?
2. Given the different characteristics of the different periods in Philippine history, what were the
goals of education/schools during the:
a) Pre-colonial,
b) Spanish period,
c) American regime,
d) Japanese regime and
e) Post-colonial period?
3. Was equal access to quality education met during the:
a) Pre-colonial
b) Spanish period,
c) American regime,
d) Japanese regime and
e) Post-colonial period up to the present?
4. DepEd’s mission is “to protect and promote the right of every Filipino to quality, equitable,
culture-based, and compete basic education.” Has the Philippine educational system from pre-
colonial to present given equal access to quality, culture-based and complete basic education?
Or was it privilege of a few? Explain your answer.
5. Read the article below. What does job-skills mismatch imply about the relevance of schools to
present society? Are schools effective agents of socialization in preparing Filipino graduates for
their job roles?

DOLE urged to address job-skills mismatch

Published June 19, 2018

By Vanne Ellaine Terrazola

Senator Joel Villanueva on Tuesday prodded the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)
and other concerned agencies to report on the status of its programs aimed at addressing job-skills
mismatch. Sen. Joel Villanueva (Senate of the Philippines Facebook page / MANILA BULLETIN)

Villanueva, chairperson of the senate committee on labor, employment, and human resources
development, made the appeal as he called anew on the government to make sure that the workers
who will be employed under the “Build,Build,Build” infrastructure program are skills-ready. ‘it has
been our consistent call on the concerned government agencies – commission on higher education
(CHED), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Education (DepEd), and
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) – to up-skill our workers and address
the problem of job-skills mismatch which becomes imperative with the implementation of the
administration’s Build- Build- Build program,” Villanueva said in statement.

6. Education is a function of society. Considering the positive and negative elements of 21 st Century
society:
 state the educational goals that 21st Century schools should pursue;
 describe the ideal 21st Century graduate; and
 describe the education delivery mode.
Will the survival skills taught in primitive societies suffice for the citizens of a 21 st Century world?

TAKEAWAYS
 Education and school are a function and a creation of society.
 Goals in education reflect what society considers as necessary for survival, stability and
convenience.
 A study of the history of education in the world and in the Philippines helps us see what
societies in the past considered important and enables us to appreciate the present which is a
product of the past.
 Schools are agents of socialization. They prepare individuals for their varied roles in society.

Let’s Check for Understanding

1. In not more than two sentences, state the relationship of society and schools.
2. What is meant by socialization as a function of schools?
3. Can school change the socializing effect of family, the primary agent of socialization? Can an
excellent school undo the socializing effect of an extreme deprived home?
4. In the Philippines, was education a privilege enjoyed by all Filipinos since the pre-colonial
period? Why or why not?

Let’s Reflect
1. Should college education be for all? Or should it be given only to those who are intellectually
capable of college education? Those who are not should be directed to technical education. Isn’t
giving access to college education for one who is not intellectually capable a waste of time and
resources?
Was that not the very purpose of the National College Entrance Examination then – to redirect
to techvoc courses those who were not capable of a college course?
Write your reflections.

We should not jump into conclusions. As a college student, I believe that college should be for
all who are motivated and willing to study and not only given to those who are intellectually
capable of tertiary education. Honestly speaking, studying in college undeniably requires
intellectual capability but it is not the only thing that makes a student eligible to study college. In
fact, it is also the courage and strategy that makes an individual capable of anything.

It is the school that should produce intellectual capable individuals. We attend school to learn,
we go to college to further enhance our learnings. Colleges has teachers, professors or
instructors that are ought to guide and teach. It is never being a waste of time and resources for
a person to go to college clever or not as long as there is what we call gained experience, growth
and realization that will surely help a lot in future. Was it more fulfilling if the college itself make
it possible for those learners to achieve more than the expectations?

Yes, it is the purpose of the National College Entrance Exam, to redirect students to TechVoc
who are not capable of a college course but Technical education is a choice and not a priority for
anyone. Taking the exam and failed do not mean that you are not intellectually capable. We
failed sometimes, that’s normal which is why there is always next time and also passing exams
can be out of luck for others. In case we failed passing the standards of the college courses on
the process, it is the time that we make the choice and consider other path.
2. Of the developments in Philippine education in the post-colonial period, which to you is most
important?

I consider the K to 12 Program (R.A. 10533) as the most controversial yet the most important
development in Philippine education. Throughout the historical period, education seems to lack of
somethings that can provide both the learners and society the opportunity to realize stability.

It is a challenging and risky move for the government to implement this program considering the
socioeconomically status of the nation but it somehow gives the Filipinos a wakeup calls and
realization of the importance of raising the nations educational standards. It offers good quality
education for all. The sectors of government also provide programs to make this accessible and
beneficiary to all.

This would open a wide scope of opportunities, increase competiveness in global context and even
raise the standing of the nation in global setting with the reason that K to 12 provide sufficient time
for mastery of concepts and skills, develop lifelong learners, and prepare graduates for tertiary
education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship.

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