Philosophy of Education

 Philosophy of Education

I. Major Philosophies of Education

1. Idealism

Key Proponent/s: Plato, Socrates

Core Belief: Reality is primarily based on ideas or the mind; truth is found in the realm of ideas.

Educational Focus:

Emphasis on the development of the mind and moral values

Teacher as a model of virtue and wisdom

Curriculum focused on classics, literature, and enduring truths

2. Realism

Key Proponent/s: Aristotle

Core Belief: Reality exists independent of the mind; knowledge is acquired through the senses.

Educational Focus:

Emphasis on the study of the physical world (science and mathematics)

Teacher as an expert who provides direct instruction and organizes the learning environment

Objective and logical approach to knowledge acquisition

3. Pragmatism

Key Proponent/s: John Dewey, Charles Peirce, William James

Core Belief: Truth is what works in a given situation; knowledge is rooted in experience and problem-solving.

Educational Focus:

Child-centered and experiential learning

Integration of real-life problems in the curriculum

Teacher as a facilitator who encourages inquiry and reflective thinking

4. Existentialism

Key Proponent/s: Jean-Paul Sartre, Søren Kierkegaard (philosophical roots)

Core Belief: Emphasis on individual freedom, choice, and personal responsibility; subjective experience defines meaning.

Educational Focus:

Learner autonomy and personal growth

Curriculum that allows self-expression and individual exploration

Teacher as a guide who encourages students to discover their own values and meaning

5. Other Notable Philosophical Perspectives

Essentialism

Emphasis on core knowledge and skills; rigorous academic standards

Perennialism

Focus on universal truths and enduring ideas found in great works of literature and philosophy

Reconstructionism

Schools as agents of social change; addressing social injustices through education

II. Educational Philosophies in the Philippine Context

1. Progressivism

Emphasizes learning by doing; learners’ interests guide instruction

Promotes active, problem-based, and experiential learning

Influenced the K-12 curriculum’s inclusion of more interactive and authentic learning tasks

2. Essentialism

Advocates mastery of basic skills (reading, writing, arithmetic) and essential subject matter

Strong influence on traditional public schooling in the Philippines

Emphasizes discipline, teacher authority, and direct instruction

3. Other Contemporary Approaches

Learner-Centered Approach: Aligns with DepEd’s K-12 reforms emphasizing differentiated instruction, inclusive education, and 21st-century skills

Outcome-Based Education: Used in higher education settings (e.g., CHED) to align course outcomes with global standards

III. Significant Historical Events and Movements in Philippine Education

1. Pre-Colonial Period (Before 16th Century)

Education was informal, practical, and community-based

Skills and knowledge passed down through oral tradition and hands-on apprenticeship

2. Spanish Colonial Period (1565–1898)

Religious Education: Schools were run primarily by religious orders (Franciscans, Jesuits, Dominicans, etc.)

Focus: Christian doctrine, basic literacy (primarily for the elite), catechism, and vocational training for some

3. American Colonial Period (1898–1946)

Introduction of the public school system and English as the medium of instruction

Arrival of the Thomasites (American teachers) who helped establish secular education and normal schools for teacher training

Emphasis on democratic ideals, civic education, and more widespread access to schooling

4. Japanese Occupation (1942–1945)

Strict censorship and promotion of Nippon-go (Japanese language)

Adaptation of educational content to Japanese propaganda

Short-lived educational reforms due to wartime conditions

5. Post-War and Commonwealth Period (1946–1960s)

Rebuilding of schools and infrastructure

Commonwealth Act No. 586 (Education Act of 1940) restructured and formalized the public school system

Growing focus on nationalism and cultural identity in the curriculum

6. Martial Law Period (1972–1981)

Centralization of the educational system

Introduction of the National College Entrance Examination (NCEE) for incoming college students

Increased emphasis on technical-vocational education under the New Society ideology

7. Post-EDSA Revolution Reforms (1986 onwards)

1987 Philippine Constitution: Recognized education as a right and expanded education provisions

Decentralization efforts and reforms to promote universal access to education

RA 7722 (CHED) and RA 7796 (TESDA) established separate governing bodies for higher and technical education

8. The K-12 Reform (2012 onwards)

Enactment of RA 10533 (Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013)

Addition of Kindergarten plus Grades 11 and 12 to align with global standards

Emphasis on learner-centered education, 21st-century skills, mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE), and contextualization

9. Recent Developments

Continuous professionalization of teachers through RA 7836 (Philippine Teachers’ Professionalization Act)

Implementation of CPD (Continuing Professional Development) programs for teachers’ license renewal

Ongoing revisions and updates to the K-12 curriculum to address evolving educational needs and global trends.