Nationalism, discipline among Filipino learners

Lilibeth C. Santos

Education officials recognized the importance of teaching the Philippine Constitution early to instill nationalism and discipline among Filipino learners.

According to officials, the children must have more exposure to the provisions of the Constitution so that they will be conscious of their obligations, of what they should do, of what they should not do.

Officials shared that the Department of Education (DepEd) already embedded Constitution lessons in the K to 12 curriculum as early as Grade 6.

By Grade 10, learners have an allotted eight weeks to discuss topics on good governance, active citizenship, and participative governance, with the importance of the Constitution highlighted. Grade 12 that chose Humanities strand, meanwhile, has a specific subject that focuses on the politics and governance in the Philippines.

It is in the Constitution itself that all educational institutions should include the study of the Constitution as part of the curriculum, officials emphasized.

With this approach, the DepEd hopes that people will be more aware and appreciative to one of the symbols of Philippine democracy.

Officials are hopeful that the time will come that the country will celebrate Constitution Day as it is in other countries – with the same level of joy, the same level of gratitude for the Constitution which the Filipino people have created.

Philippines’ Constitution Day is observed during February 2 of every year by virtue of Proclamation No. 211, s. 1988 to “instill in the hearts and minds of the Filipino people the democratic principles and the noble and lofty ideals enshrined in the Constitution.”

Officials also highlighted DepEd’s efforts in upholding and implementing two important provisions on education of the 1987 Constitution: on protecting and promoting the right of all citizens to quality and accessible education (Article XIV, Section 1); and on establishing a non-formal system of education (Article XIV, Section II(4)).

Officials also highlighted the current initiative of the Department to raise the quality of education in the country through Sulong EduKalidad that focuses on four aggressive reforms: K to 12 curriculum review, Improving the learning environment, Teachers’ upskilling and reskilling, and Engagement of stakeholders for support and collaboration.

The challenge is to shift focus to implementing the Constitution and ensuring that the provisions stipulated in it are being upheld.

The author is Teacher

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III at San Vicente-San Francisco High School, Macabebe, Pampanga