PHILIPPINE

EDUCATIO
N SYSTEM
AS THE
MODERN
RIZAL
INTRODUCTION
The writings and various events on the life of Jose Rizal are filled of ideas concerning
education. He recognized the importance of education in the development of a nation and its
people. Crisostomo Ibarra, the principal character of his novel Noli Me Tangere possesses a
desire to establish a suitable school. Ibarra mentioned in the novel what he considered a modern
school. According to him the building should be spacious and hygienic, the site should be large
and provided with playground and garden. Rizal himself dreamed of founding a school in
accordance with the demands of modern times and circumstances.
According to Austin Craig, Rizal ambitioned to make education accessible to all, “the teaching
instinct that led him to act as mentor to the Filipino students in Spain and made him the
inspiration of a mutual improvement club of his young countrymen in London, suggested the
foundation of a school in Paris. Later a Pampangan youth offered him $40,000 with which to
found a Filipino college in Hong Kong, where many young men from the Philippines had
obtained an education better than their own land could afford but not entirely adapted to their
needs. The scheme attracted Rizal and a prospectus for such an institution which was later found
among his papers not only proves how deeply he was interested, but reveals the fact that his idea
of education were essentially like those carried out in the present public school course of
instruction in the Philippines”.
Rizal also showed his support to the group of women in Malolos when their petition of
establishing a school was denied by Gen. Weyler. He wrote a letter to the ladies in support to
their courageous action. Rizal preaches the need of education and said that “ignorance is
slavery”. Rizal always reminded his sisters the value and importance of education thus when
Josefa and Trinidad visited Rizal in Hong Kong he encourage the two to learn the English
language. Perhaps Rizal’s appreciation of education was influenced by his mother, Doña
Teodora Alonzo. His mother was considered his first teacher. At the age of three he learned the
alphabet and also taught him to appreciate Spanish poetry.
He even recognized the importance of industrial education as well. Rizal included this concept
in the five purposes of the La Liga Filipina which he founded, the development of instruction,
agriculture and commerce. 
When Jose Rizal was deported in Dapitan on 1893, he devoted his time in teaching young
children.  Rizal applied the learning he acquired in the different school that he visited during his
travels. It was in Dapitan particularly Talisay where Rizal used his talents and limited resources
to serve his countrymen during the four years of his exile. He practiced his profession as a
doctor, farmer, teacher, community developer, engineer and scientist. Rizal opened a school for
young boys in the community. They were given subjects in reading, writing, arithmetic,
geography, geometry, languages, history and good conduct. Rizal even gave practical lessons on
the use of their hands, for he believed that education should be inculcated or integrated with the
development of the community. He also taught his students different kinds of sport activities
such as boxing, swinging on parallel bars and rings, swimming and arnis on account of his belief
that a sound body makes a sound mind.
Rizal’s method of teaching is different compared from other schools of his time. He saw to it
that learning should be adaptable to the needs or actual life of the people. Rizal is not just a
conventional type of teacher; his visions were not just for himself but for the benefits of his
countrymen. The effort of our present Department of Education and other learning institutions in
curriculum development is in harmony with the ideas and visions of Rizal. The government is
also giving its full support and prioritizes the education of Filipinos. But we should also
remember that the time and needs of the learners during Rizal’s time is different to the learners
of today. There might be ideas or methods which are no longer needed in the present. But still we
owe him for pioneering a technique in teaching. Our educators should also follow and be
motivated by the exemplar deeds of Rizal. If he were living today, he would definitely continue
his undertakings in molding the minds of our youth. Just as what he had told “Ang mga kabataan
ang pag-asa ng bayan”.
DISCUSSION
Dr. Rizal’s stand on education stems from his passionate belief in the Filipino,
particularly in our youth. He expressed this stand in his famous letter to the women of Malolos.
He wrote these words to them in 1889: “Ignorance is bondage, because like mind, like man.”
It was clear to him that the brilliance of Filipino intellect is key to our progress, or economic
redemption. He wrote to fellow patriot Marcelo H. Del Pilar: “I am seriously studying the
developments in our country. I believe that nothing can redeem us except our brains.” He was
not just passionate about the importance of education. He was obstinate about it. For him,
education is key to the fulfillment of the Filipino dream. He echoed this in a letter he wrote to his
friend, European teacher Ferdinand Blumentritt. Dr. Rizal said: “All our efforts tend to educate
our people – education, education, education of our people – education and enlightenment”.

Such obstinacy was further emphasized as he reflected his stand in the character of
Crisostomo Ibarra in the novel “Noli Me Tangere.” In a scene in that masterpiece, Dr. Rizal’s
principle echoed in the words of Ibarra who argued against the call for a bloody rebellion by
another character, Elias: “No! I desire the country’s welfare so I will build a schoolhouse. I seek
it by means of instruction, by progressive advancement; without light there is no road.”
In many ways, the Philippine Constitution has enshrined and honors that Rizalian principle.

According to Section 3 of Article 14 of the Constitution, “the State shall assign the
highest budgetary priority to education.” Consistent with that mandate, the 2016 national budget
allocated billion for education out of the total of trillion.
 Dr. Rizal’s stand on the value of education is also one of the reasons we, local
government executives, have thrown our support behind the K-to-12 program – an object of
much derision from its critics.
Education is also among our highest priorities at the local government level. We see first-
hand and with our own eyes the many serious challenges facing that Program and education in
general.
Among them is the howl among some parents complaining about the longer period
required before their children can move on to college? This will cost them more, they say. Others
complain about an alleged lack of preparation and of textbooks and facilities.
Still, we believe that the program is a welcome innovation. We are working with the Department
of Education to address the requirements for private sector participation and for additional
classrooms, school supplies and facilities which the introduction of Senior High School entails.
The point about this program is that it cannot succeed if we don’t give it a try. It calls for
the participation of all sectors. We cannot kill it simply because it faces major challenges. All
innovative ideas and approaches are never without opposition nor problems. It is up to all of us
to help solve them.
A bigger problem can come about if we don’t innovate. Making do with the convenience
offered by the existing system can only leave the country biting the dust as our Asian neighbors
continue to raise their standards of education. Worse, failing to innovate could be a betrayal of
the call of Dr. Rizal.
The hero reminded us: “My countrymen, I have given proofs that I am one most anxious
for liberties for our country; and I desire them. But I place as a prior condition the education of
our people, that by means of instruction and industry our country may have an identity of its own
and make itself worthy of our liberties.” Dr. Rizal believed that our brains remain our most
important asset. We must work together for the advancement of the education sector if we are to
fully harness that all-important asset.
CONCLUSION
Our country’s uniqueness as the only Christian and English-speaking archipelago in
Southeast Asia impacts our education system more than we acknowledge.
Our country’s anglophonic culture and religious system are all results of colonialism,
backed up by our rich history of being colonized by the Spanish regime for three centuries,
followed by the US occupation for nearly five decades.
The US colonialism has always had a huge impact on the development of the education
system in the Philippines. In fact, the American English has always been imposed in our schools
and become second to the Filipino as our national language.
Our strong knowledge in the English language could be a global tool in personal
economic growth, particularly if you’d consider the business process outsourcing industry in the
global landscape. Despite this, Filipinos are still very dependent on attaining college degrees in
terms of climbing the professional ladder, as a college diploma is still a very basic requirement
or qualification in landing on financially fulfilling jobs. Luckily though, a lot of advancements
have happened in the modern Philippine education system that is designed to empower Filipinos
personally and professionally.
One of the most notable milestones in the Philippine education is that the government
actively seeks to expand access and participation in higher education and, even more
importantly, tries to improve the quality of education.
Despite the shortage of innovators, researchers and knowledge producers in the country,
it is great to note that Filipinos are generally prioritizing higher and advanced education. In fact,
there have been a wide interest in international education among Filipinos, as well as
nontraditional educational courses outside of the typical college courses.
With the efforts of the local government, the advancements of local-educational
institutions, corporate social-responsibility initiatives of corporations and the individual pursuits
of Filipinos for personal empowerment through education, a rise on the number of innovators,
researchers and knowledge producers” in the country may not be a problem anymore in the near
future. As a nation, we just have to redirect our focus in terms of continuously advocating higher
education by support any efforts in the improvement of our educational system.
Individually, we just have to be more open to educational opportunities, and maximize
our edge as English-speaking citizens, a major benefit in global commerce and education. Being
more pro-active in teaching ourselves to be our own responsible innovators and knowledge
producers for our own professional and financial gain. After all, as a nation, we are also very
much into technology and the Internet. With research and a few clicks here and there, we might
actually stumble on some local grants, interesting online courses and international scholarships
that can upgrade us educationally and economically. Continuous learning and education, after
all, are still the greatest investments we could give to ourselves.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Osias, Camilo & Derbyshire, Charles, “Rizal and education”,
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/p/philamer/AHZ9301.0001.001?rgn=main;view=fulltext

• Jose Rizal University “Philosophies in Life”, 2004, http://www.joserizal.ph/ph01.html

• “Educational System in the Philippines_Content”, 10 August 2013,

https://www.slideshare.net/IssaGo/educational-system-in-the-philippinescontent

• Rushan, Ziatdinov, 31 May 2013 https://www.slideshare.net/rushanziatdinov/features-and-historical-

aspects-of-the-philippines-educational-system

• Dacles, Angela, “Philippines Life And Works Of Rizal”,

https://www.studocu.com/en/document/university-of-perpetual-help-system-dalta/the-life-and-works-
of-dr-jose-rizal/other/life-and-works-of-rizal-this-file-is-complete-from-prelim-lectures-up-to-final-
lectures-thank-you/3107316/view