Historical Development of Teaching in the Philippines

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the chronological history and legal milestones of the teaching profession and education system in the Philippines.

Pre-Colonial Educators

Mothers, fathers, and tribal leaders who served as teachers in a system with no formal preparation or schooling.

Pre-Colonial Education Style

Instruction that was oral, practical, and hands-on, without established formal schooling.

Spanish Period Schooling

Formal schooling that started in parochial schools built by religious congregations with emphasis on Christian doctrines and Spanish culture.

Educational Decree of 1863

Passed to establish a free public school system with schools for boys and girls in every municipality and normal schools for male teachers (maestros).

Maestras

Female teachers for whom normal schools were established in 1875 during the Spanish period.

August 29, 1898

The date when schools maintained by Spain were reopened after a brief closure at the end of Spanish Rule.

Article 23 of the Malolos Constitution

Mandated that public education would be free and obligatory in all schools of the nation under the First Philippine Republic.

American Period Goal

To educate and train Filipinos in the science of self-government using English as the medium of instruction.

First Teachers of Filipinos (American Period)

American soldiers.

Education Act of 1901 (Act of 74)

Installed a highly centralized public school system and authorized the bringing of 600 teachers from the U.S.A. known as Thomasites.

Thomasites

The 600 teachers from the U.S.A. authorized by the Philippine Commission to address the heavy shortage of teachers in 1901.

Act No. 477 (1902)

Legislation that changed the Bureau of Public Instruction to the Bureau of Education.

Act No. 1870

The law approved by the Philippine Legislature that created the University of the Philippines.

Reorganization of 1916

The process of Filipinization of all department secretaries except the Secretary of Public Instruction.

National Council of Education (1936)

An advisory body on educational matters created by President Quezon to improve the Philippine educational system.

EO No. 134

An order by President Quezon designating Tagalog as the basis of a national language.

Code of Ethics (Quezon)

A famous set of rules issued to strengthen moral fibers and foster love of country, required to be taught in all schools.

Education Act of 1940

Reduced the elementary course from 7 to 6 years, set the entrance age at 7, and moved the school calendar to July-April.

Order No. 2 of the Japanese Imperial Forces

Established wartime educational aims focused on Oriental consciousness, vocational education, and the diffusion of the Japanese language.

Executive Order No. 94 (1947)

Changed the Department of Instruction to the Department of Education under the Third Republic.

RA No. 139

Provides the basis for the selection and adoption of textbooks.

RA 1079

Requirement for teachers to take civil service exams to be eligible to teach in public schools.

RA 1265

Law making flag ceremony compulsory in all educational institutions.

RA 1425 (Rizal Law)

Directs all schools and universities to include courses on the life, work, and writings of Dr. Jose Rizal in their curricula.

RA 4650

The Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (1966) addressing recruitment, professional conduct, teaching load, and benefits.

Proclamation 1081

The 1972 decree that renamed the Department of Education to the Department of Education and Culture.

1973 Constitution Educational Aims

Fostering love of country, teaching citizenship duties, and developing moral character, self-discipline, and efficiency.

Presidential Decree No. 1

Decentralized the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, sharing decision-making among thirteen regional offices.

PD No. 1006 (1976)

The Professionalization of Teachers and Teaching, which granted professional status to teachers passing the PBET board exam.

BP Blg 232 (1982)

Legislation for school accreditation, teacher/administrator qualifications, and establishing an integrated system of education.

Article XIV, Section 3 of 1987 Constitution

Contains the ten fundamental aims of education in the Philippines.

Republic Act 6655

The Free Public Secondary Education Act of 1988, mandating free public high school education.

Republic Act 7323

Provided for student employment (ages 15 to 25) during vacations with a shared salary payment between the employer (60%) and government (40%).

RA 7722

The Higher Education Act of 1994, which created the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

RA 7796

The Technical Education and Skills Development Act of 1994, which created TESDA.

Trifocal System of Education

The division of responsibilities among CHED (tertiary), TESDA (non-degree vocational), and DECS (elementary and secondary).

RA No. 7836

The Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act, mandating the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET).

Republic Act 9155

The Governance of Basic Education Act (2001), which changed DECS to the Department of Education (DepEd).

K-12 Basic Education Cycle

A new educational system and curriculum started for implementation in 2011 with a phased implementation from S.Y. 2011-2012.

RA No. 10912

The Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016, making CPD mandatory for the renewal of professional licenses.

RA 11313

The Safe Spaces Act, also known as the Anti-Bastos Law, enacted in 2019.