A study of the problems arising from the legal bases of centralization of education under the present Republic of the Philippines

Abstract

The Constitution of the Philippines makes centralisation of educational control mandatory in the Philippines. It would take a constitutional amendment and revision of our laws to change the structure of our school administration. This is not an easy and simple task. It needs prolonged dedication of time for serious study and thorough deliberation over the problems arising therein. This study is comparatively insignificant compared to the great task involved in such a big problem. Nevertheless this study may help students to acquaint themselves with the problems of centralized school authority and may help formulate the idea for a more democratic educational system. Statement of the problem. The purpose of this thesis is to study the different problems of education arising from the legal bases of centralization under the present Republic of the Philippines, with a view to recommending what steps might be taken toward the solution of the problems, and the improvement of our educational system. These are the principal questions: Does the government exert too much control over local public and private schools? What is the degree of autonomous control that should reside in the school systems of the provinces? The Philippines is a Republic, independent and free. Is a highly centralized school administration efficient and effective in carrying out its objectives, for solving the current complex social, economic and political problems? What kind of education is needed in the Republic, in this changed and changing world? Do we need to decentralize our educational system in organization, in function, in spirit? What are the problems in our teacher training under our present laws and how can we democratically select efficient and good teachers? How should we revise our curriculum and textbooks to make education in our country more functional and productive? Finally, what are the problems of the present method of financing our public schools? What method shall be adopted for the support of the schools? To solve the foregoing problems what are the measures that are vitally needed? What are the necessary laws that should be presented in Congress? To find the answers of the above questions caused the government under the Republic of the Philippines time, effort and money. It seems worth­ while therefore to dedicate time and effort for the investigation and study of them.