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Education became very important for the Filipinos. This
was something that the Americans gave importance to, The
spread of democracy and formation of good citizens
including the rights and responsibilities of the people
were the focus of American education in the country.
Education allowed the Americans to spread or share their
culture, particularly the English language, to the
Filipinos.
The American government wanted to give everyone the
chance to study so they built public schools for the
Filipinos. Volunteer Filipino soldiers became the first
teachers of the Filipinos. Part of their mission was to
build classrooms in every place where they were
assigned. The Filipino soldiers stopped teaching only
when a group of teachers from the U.S. came to the
Philippines in June 1901. They came aboard the ship
"Sheridan." In August 1901, 600 teachers called "Thomasites"
arrived. Their name came from the ship they traveled on,
the S.S. Thomas. This group became successful in their
mission. |
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Every child from age 7 was required to register in
schools located in their own town or province. The
students were given free school materials. There were
three levels of education during the American period.
The "elementary" level consisted of four primary years
and 3 intermediate years. The "secondary" or high school
level consisted of four years; and the third was the
"college" or tertiary level.
Many elementary and secondary schools were opened in
cities and provinces. Normal, vocational, agricultural,
and business schools were also opened. There were also
colleges during the American period. Some of these
colleges are: Philippine Normal School in 1901 (now a
university); National University (1901);,University of
Manila (1914); Philippine Women University (1919); and
Far Eastern University (1933). Examples of vocational
schools are: the Philippine Nautical School, Philippine
School of Arts and Trades and the Central Luzon
Agriculture School. The University of the Philippines
was also founded in 1908. |
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Religion was not included in the curriculum of the
schools. The Americans also gave recognition to those
students who excelled academically. They were sent to
the U.S. to continue their studies and to become expert
in their desired fields or professions. They were called
"scholars" because the government covered all their
expenses. In return, they were to teach or work in
government offices after they finished their studies.
There were successful Filipino scholars like Judge Jose
Abad Santos, Francisco Benitez, Dr. Honoria Sison and
Francisco Delgado.
The government was not only concerned with the welfare
of the youth. Formal education was also provided to
those who were of age. Schools were also built in
non-Catholic areas like Sulu, Mindanao, and the Mountain
Provinces. Attention was given to vocational and health
practice. The knowledge of the Filipinos in reading and
writing were very high during the American period. |
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