Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University

South La Union Campus

Agoo, La Union

Where teachers grow

Lilibeth

Felix

Jeric

Grace

Jennilyn

As mentioned in the paper of

Director Esperanza A. Gonzales

of the Bureau of Secondary

Education, Department of

Education, Culture and Sports,

entitled “THE 1989

SECONDARY EDUCATION

CURRICULUM”, when the first

graduates of the New Elementary

School Curriculum (NESC) come

to the high schools in 1989…

“basic intellectual

skills and learning

tools to continue

learning and the

values for

successfully living

lives in the

society”.

PRIMARY EDUCATION

On February 2, 1987, a new Constitution for the

Philippines was ratified. Section 3, Article XIV of the

1987 Constitution contains the ten fundamental aims

of education in the Philippines. It is also seen that

under the 1987 Constitution (under Section 2 (2),

Article XIV), only elementary school was made

compulsory.

Primary education is compulsory

and is six years in duration divided into

a four-year primary cycle and a two-year

intermediate cycle .

Children generally begin first graduate

seven years of age; however , private

schools often operate a seven-year

curriculum starting a year earlier.

Students are annually promoted from

one grade to the next provided that they

meet the achievement standards set for

the grade. Students are rated in every

subject four times during the year.

A cumulative rating system is

used as the basis for promotion.

The passing grade is 75

percent. In grades I & II the

medium of instruction is

generally in the local dialect, of

which there are more than 170

nationally, with English and

Filipino taught as second

languages . From grade III

onwards mathematics and

science are taught in English

with the social sciences and

humanities taught in Filipino.

Four years (grades I – IV, age seven

to 11)

Two years

(grades V – VI, age11 to 13)

Core subjects: Language arts

(Filipino, English and local

dialect),Mathematics, Health and

Science.

Makabayan subjects:

In grades I – III

Students study civics and culture.

Grades IV– VI

Students study music, arts and physical education; home

economics and livelihood ; and social studies.

Values education and good manners and right conduct are

integrated in all learning areas.

Makabayan is described by the ministry as a learning area

that serves as a practice environment for holistic learning to

develop a healthy personal and national self-identity . Ideally, it

entails the adoption of modes of integrative teaching that will

enable the student to process and synthesize a wide range of

skills and values (cultural, aesthetic, athletic , vocational,

politico-economic, and ethical.

Leaving Certificate:After satisfactorily

completing the six-year

elementary curriculum ,

students receive a

Certificate of Graduation

from the elementary school.

No examination is required

for admission to public

secondary schools.

The multi-disciplinary and inter-

disciplinary approaches which were

good features of the 1973 revised

curriculum were not reflected in the

instructional materials or in the

classroom processes.

The desire to develop among

students good work attitudes fell

short of expectations

The conceptual approach to

problem solving in the social

sciences proved ineffective for

learning the content of social

science subjects, etc.

The 1987 Constitution in Article XIV

Sec. 1 states that “The State shall

protect and promote the right of all

citizens to quality education at all

levels and shall take appropriate steps

to make such education accessible to

all.” Sec. 3 (1), (2), Sections 14, 19

and Art. XV Sec.1 which were cited in

the previous chapters expressly stated

education-related constitutional

requirements serving as the primary

legal bases of the 1989 SEDP.

D No. 6-A and Batas Pambansa Blg. 232

otherwise known as Education Act of 1982

clearly spells the need for the kind of the

education that will continue general

education stared in the elementary grades;

prepare learners for college and prepare

learners for the world of work.

This curriculum is supportive of the Medium

Term Development Plan targets and the

values development thrusts in accordance

with the Values Education Framework of the

DECS

Provision of

quality

textbooks/teac

hers’ manuals

on a1:1 basis.

Curriculum

reformAssistance

to private

education

Research

studies on

NCEE,

barangay high

schools, career

guidance, etc

Staff

development

(short and

long term)

Provision of

science and

work

education

equipment.

In addition to this, SEDP will also undertake or

expand the school building program, service

contracting scheme and other alternative delivery

system.

Develop an enlightened

commitment to the national

ideals by cherishing,

reserving, and developing

moral, spiritual and socio-

cultural values, as well as

other desirable aspects of the

Filipino heritage;

Obtain knowledge and form

desirable attitudes for

understanding the nature and

purpose of man and therefore,

of one’s self, one’s own

people, and other races,

places and times, thereby,

promoting a keen sense of

self, of family and of national

and international

communities;

Acquire works skills,

Knowledge and information

and work ethic essential for

making an intelligent choice of

an occupation or career, and

for specialized training in

specific occupations;

Develop skills inn higher

intellectual operations and

more complex comprehension

and expression activities and

in thinking, intelligently and

critically and creatively in life

situations;

Broaden and heighten their

abilities in the appreciation for

the arts, science and

technology as means for

maximizing their potentials

foe self-fulfillment and for

promoting the welfare of

others.

.

English

Filipino

Mathematics

Science and Technology

Araling Panlipunan

Edukasyon, Pangkatawan, Kalusugan at

Musika

Technology and Home Economics

Edukasyon sa Pagpapahalaga(Values

Education)

The subject areas Filipino and

English shall place a strong

emphasis on the development of

critical thinking skills and

communication competence.

Araling Panlipunan (Social

Studies) shall be taught

from the Philippines

perspective. The area of

study for the first year is

Philippine History, Asian

History in the second year.

Economics in the third year

and World History in the

fourth year.

Mathematics will include

higher level of

competencies in

preparation for

technology course

introduced at the tertiary

level.

In Science; the focus in the

first year shall be General

Science, Biology in the

second year, Chemistry in

the third year and Physics

in the fourth year.

Arts will be added in the

third and fourth years to

Physical Education,

Health and Music.

The implementation of

Technology and Home

Economics as a new subject

area will be deferred. The

teaching of Practical Arts as

currently practice will

continue except in the try-out

and leader schools.

SUBJECT AREA UNIT CREDIT NO. OF MINUTES

English 1 40

Filipino 1 40

Mathematics 1 40

Science and Technology 1.5 60

Araling Panlipunan 1 40

Edukasyon Pangkatawan,

Kalusugan, Musika

at Sining (III, IV) 1 40

Technology ( I, II) and

Home Economics (III-IV)

Practical Arts for SY (1989) 2 60

Edukasyon sa Pagpapahalaga 1 40

Curriculum, Validity, Relevance and Effectiveness

This new curriculum was tried out

in 80 pilot schools representing

seven (7) types of secondary

schools, namely:

- Barangay

- Municipal

- Provincial

- City - Vocational

- Private secretary

- Private non-sectarian

Try-out classes were regularly

monitored and evaluated twice.

Studies to determine the effectiveness of

teaching and learning were conducted.

These studies included surveys of

students’, teachers’, and administrators

perceptions on the new textbooks,

medium of instruction, time allotment and

new subject areas.

To be prepared for the effective implementation

of the new curriculumStaff development programs were undertaken,

including the training by selected centers of public

and private school regional trainers; leadership

training for secondary school

principals/administrators for both public and private

schools; and there will be mass training of first year

teachers for both public and private schools in April-

May, 1989.

Among the Centrex's are the Philippine Normal College for English,

Filipino and Values education; UP College of Education for Social

Studies, Health and Music; UP ISMED for Science and Mathematics;

TUP for Technology and Home Economics and Work Experience; UP

SPEAR FOR Physical Education; and Maryknoll College for Values

Education.

With all the other areas of concern and operation well taken care of, the Filipino youth is looking

forward to this new Secondary Education Curriculum. It should however be borne in mind that some slacks and weak links may show up in

the process that must be attended to promptly by all concerned. Having been tried out and tested with good results, let us all hope that this will

enable us to effect that much needed change in the quality of education and our graduates.

*****References*****

Andres, Francisco. Curriculum Development in Philippine

Setting: National Book Store Inc. 1989.

Bauzon, Prisciliano. Foundations of Curriculum

Development and

Management. Manila: National Book Store Inc. 2001.