GMA News TV’s investigative documentary television program, Brigada, interviews GEC Director Dr. Maria Vanessa P. Lusung-Oyzon for a segment in their June 11, 2019 episode on “Ano ang epekto ng pag-alis ng Filipino at Panitikan sa college curriculum?”
The program asks this question in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling on March 5, 2019 to uphold their October 2018 decision to remove Filipino and Panitikan as required courses in college, as the petitioner Tanggol Wika failed to provide “any substantial argument” on the case.
Aside from the ruling on Filipino and Panitikan, the K-12 curriculum entails that Kasaysayan or Philippine History will only be taught to 5th and 6th graders.
Department of Education’s Officer-in-charge of the Office of the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction, Diosdado San Antonio, states that Philippine History is already integrated in World History, so there is no need to teach it in high school.
On the other hand, Dr. Oyzon articulates that this change in curriculum should be a challenge to teacher training institutions. She suggests that they consider conducting seminars for pre-service teachers and in-service trainings on how to make the teaching of Kasaysayan or Philippine History meaningful and relevant, such that students may retain and use their learning until their adult years.
Jamaico Ignacio, Convenor of the Ibalik ang Philippine History sa High School, affirms Dr. Oyzon’s statement. He says that high school is pivotal in the formation of a person’s principles and values:
“Vulnerable sila kasi doon sa high school lumalabas ‘yang pagpapalalim. Nandoon talaga sa edad 12 to 17 or 18, doon talaga lumalabas yung paniniwala o paninindigan ng isang tao, at kung ano man ang paniwalaan mo around that age group, dadalhin niya ‘yun hanggang sa tumanda siya.”
Ignacio also states that this provision further wounds the already deteriorating patriotism among Filipino youth:
“Pinapatay nga niya ang patriotism. Ang hina-hina na nga pagmamahal ng mga kabataan sa kanilang bansa, tatanggalin mo pa ang ilan sa kakaunting instrumento na tutulong sanang pukawin ‘yung pagmamahal nila sa bansa.”
References:
Rey, Aika. “SC reiterates Filipino, Panitikan not required in college.” Rappler. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/231545-supreme-court-filipino-panitikan-not-required-college.
GMA Public Affairs. (2019, June 12). Brigada: Ano ang epekto ng pag-alis ng Filipino at Panitikan sa college curriculum? [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jq82Kvl39vo.
To watch the full segment, click here.
