System of Education During Spanish Period
I. Reform Queen Isabella II
Queen Isabella II (Ruled 1833 - 1868)
‘CBB A1
1863 - The Education Reform (Royal Decree of 1863)
● Created the first public education system in the Philippines.
● It established:
○ A system of primary schools in every town across the country.
○ The creation of secondary schools in Manila.
○ The training of teachers, specifically through normal schools, to improve the
quality of education.
○ It made education compulsory for boys between the ages of 6 and 12 in towns
with sufficient resources.
II. Secondary Education (Colegio)
During the Spanish period, secondary education was referred to as "colegio" because the term
was commonly used for institutions that provided formal education beyond elementary
schooling.
Reasons Why Secondary Education Was Called "Colegio":
● Spanish Influence on Terminology
● Religious Control Over Education
Examples of "Colegios" in the Philippines during Spanish rule:
● Colegio de San Juan de Letran (Founded in 1620, this institution was initially a
secondary school and is still operational today)
● Colegio de San Ignacio (on 1589 and was run by Jesuits and primarily served as a
secondary institution for Filipino students)
● Colegio de San Jose (founded in 1601)
III. Jose Rizal in Biñan
Timeline of José Rizal’s Early Schooling in Biñan
➢ There was no prestigious elementary school established yet in provinces like Laguna
➢ 4 R’s - reading, writing, arithmetic and religion
➢ Although not handled by professional teachers but the instruction were rigid and strict
➢ Knowledge was forced through memorization aided by teacher’s whip
➢ It would be a lucky day day for students if teachers are in good mood
➢ Spanish elementary education was defective
➢ Pupils behaved and studied out of fear or suffer from abusive disciplinary measures
➢ Jose Rizal made a good account of himself in spite of the primitive style of education
➢ Able to equip himself with necessary knowledge and showed great acumen in his school
performance despite of outmodel and limited knowledge
The First Teacher
➢ Rizal’s mother is an ilustrado, she valued and understood the importance of education
➢ Patiently taught Jose Rizal the ABC’s and stimulated her son’s imagination by telling
many stories
➢ Even encouraged Jose Rizal to write poems and made the necessary corrections if
needed.
➢ Rizal gradually understood the importance of education
➢ As Rizal grew older, his parents hired private tutors to give him lessons at home
○ First was Maestro Celestino
○ Second was Maestro Lucas Padua
○ Even the former classmate of his father was also employed who taught him
Spanish and Latin
The School of Maestro Justiano Aquino Cruz
➢ June 1869 - Jose was sent to Binan accompanied by Paciano who acted as his second
father.
➢ Rizal was brought to the school of Maestro Justiano Aquino Cruz
➢ The son of Justiano Cruz , named Pedro, once bullied him.
○ Rizal was insulted in the presence of many children when Pedro made fun of him
in which Rizal challenged him into a fistfight since Rizal wanted to regain the
high regard and respect for himself. He wrestled Pedro furiously inside the
classroom. He learned the art of wrestling from his Tio Manuel that’s why he
was able to defeat the bigger boy Pedro. Since then, many boys in Binan
challenged him into a fight. And having a reputation as a good wrestler, he
became a worthy opponent for the macho bravado kids.
➢ Early education in Binan contributed to his love for independence
➢ At a tender age, he was able to control himself
➢ Although struck by homesickness, he diverted the feeling of nostalgia in developing
talents and focused more in his studies
➢ Spent his leisure hours at the painter’s studio of Juancho who gave him free lessons in
painting and drawing
➢ Even surpassed all his classmates in Spanish and Latin and other subjects
➢ Ended his studies in Binan on December 17, 1870 after one year and a half of schooling
Teodora’s Imprisonment
➢ Falsely accused of poisoning her in law and was arrested.
➢ Greatly affected Rizal which shaped his strong opposition to Spanish abuses and
injustice.
Additional Key Schools and Educational Influence:
Escuela de Maestro Justiniano Aquino Cruz: This school in Biñan, Laguna, is the
most significant institution where Rizal received formal schooling during his time in
Biñan. It focused primarily on basic literacy, math, and classical education.
Private Tutoring with His Mother: After his return to Calamba, Rizal’s mother,
Teodora Alonso Realonda, played a central role in his academic development, teaching
him additional subjects and nurturing his growing intellectual abilities.
IV. Jose Rizal in Ateneo
Admission to Ateneo (1872)
● Initially, Rizal’s father wanted him to study at San Juan de Letran, but after a trip home, he
decided to enroll at Ateneo Municipal instead.
● He was initially denied admission due to late registration and being undersized for his age (11
years old).
● Through the intercession of Manuel Xerez Burgos, he was admitted.
● Jose adopted the surname ‘Rizal ́ at the Ateneo because their family name “Mercado” had come
under suspicion of the Spanish authorities.
● He boarded in a house on Caraballo Street, a 25-minute walk from the college. The boarding
house was owned by Titay, who owed the Rizal family P300. Jose boarded there to collect part of
the debt.
Education and Achievements at Ateneo
● Jesuit Training: The Jesuits administered Ateneo with strict discipline, focusing on religious
instruction, humanities, and sciences. They held Mass early in the morning before the beginning
of daily class. Classes were opened and closed with prayers.
● Classroom System: Students were divided into two groups:
○ Internos (boarders): Roman Empire (Red Banner)
○ Externos (non-boarders): Carthaginian Empire (Blue Banner)
● Ranks within Class:
○ Best Student - Emperor
○ Second Best - Tribune
○ Third Best - Decurion
○ Fourth Best - Centurion
○ Fifth Best - Standard Bearer
Academic Performance by Year
1. First Year (1872-73)
○ Rizal’s first professor in Ateneo was Fr. Jose Bech.
- Described him as “tall thin man, with a body slightly bent forward, a harned walk, an
ascetic face, severe and inspired, small deep-sunken eyes, a sharp nose that was almost
Greek, and thin lips forming and arc whose ends feel toward the chin.”
○ Initially ranked low due to poor Spanish skills but improved.
○ He was an externo (Carthaginians), occupying the end of the line.
○ Became Emperor of the class at the end of the month
○ Took extra lessons at Santa Isabel College to improve Spanish language paying three
pesos for those extra lessons.
○ He placed second at the end of the year, although all his grades were still marked
‘Excellent ́
2. Second Year (1873-74)
○ Rizal lost the class leadership. But he repented having neglected his studies the previous
year simply because he was offended by the teacher’s remarks.
○ He studied harder and once more became ‘emperor ́.
○ Finished the year with excellent grades and a gold medal.
Teenage Interest in Reading
● The first favorite novel of Rizal was The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas. His boyish
imagination was stirred by the sufferings of Edmond Dantes (the hero) in prison, his spectacular
escape from the dungeon of Chateau d’If, his finding a buried treasure in the rocky island of
Monte Cristo, and his dramatic revenge on his enemies who had wronged him.
● Rizal also read non-fiction. He persuaded his father to buy a costly set of Cesar Cantu’s historical
work entitled Universal History.
● He also read Travels in the Philippines by Dr. Feodor Jagor, a German scientist-traveler who
visited Phil in 1859-60. He was impressed by:
● 1. Jagor’s keen observations of the defects of Spanish colonization
● 2. His prophecy that someday Spain would lose the Phil and that America would come to succeed
her as colonizer.
3. Third Year (1874-75)
○ His mother was released from prison
○ Maintained excellent grades but did not make an excellent showing in his studies as in
previous year.
○ Won a Latin medal but failed to get a Spanish medal due to his fluency.
○ He was beaten by a Spanish who could naturally speak Spanish with fluency and right
accentuation.
4. Fourth Year (1875-76)
○ June 16, 1875- He became a boarder at Ateneo.
○ He befriended Fr. Francisco de Paula Sanchez, one of his professor, who inspired him
to study harder and write poetry and ignited his love for literature.
- Rizal’s best professor in Ateneo
- Rizal described him as ‘model of uprightness, earnestness, and love for the
advancement of his pupils ́
○ Earned five medals for academic excellence.
5. Fifth Year (1876-77)
○ March 23, 1877- Rizal, 16 years old, received from his Alma Mater, Ateneo Municipal,
the degree of Bachelor of Arts, with highest honors.
○ Regarded as the most brilliant Atenean of his time, and was truly ‘the pride of the Jesuits ́
○ Among the twelve students in his class, nine (including Rizal) graduated with
sobresaliente (excellent marks) in all subjects.
Studied for a degree in Land Surveying and Assessment
Extra-Curricular Activities
● Campus Leader and Secretary of the Marian Congregation Religious Society.
● Member of the Academy of Spanish Literature and the Academy of Natural Sciences.
● Poet and Artist, studying painting under Agustin Saez.
● Improved sculpting under Romualdo de Jesus.
● Active in gymnastics and fencing, trained by his uncle Tio Manuel.
After Ateneo (1877)
● Graduated on March 23, 1877, at 16 years old, earning a Bachelor of Arts with highest honors.
● Despite his achievements, Rizal was not content and pursued higher studies at the University of
Santo Tomas (1877-1882).
● His mother opposed his further studies, fearing for his safety due to political persecution, but
his father and brother Paciano supported him
V. Jose Rizal in UST
After graduating from Ateneo, Jose Rizal was not content with his earned knowledge. He
wanted to know more and take higher education. His mother, Doña Teodora opposed his
decision for fear that his further education might become the cause of his death, taking
the examples of the three friars who were executed (GomBurZa). His older brother
Paciano and Don Francisco supported Jose despite the objection of Doña Teodora.
In April 1877, Jose, who was barely 16 years old, matriculated in the University of
Santo Tomas (UST) taking up Philosophy and Letters. He enrolled in this course for two
reasons: (1) Don Francisco liked it and (2) he was still uncertain what career to take
up.
He had written to Fr. Pablo Ramon, Rector of the Ateneo, who had been good to him
during his days in Ateneo, asking for advice in the choice of career. Unfortunately, Fr.
Recto was in Mindanao and during those days it took several months to receive a letter
from Manila to Mindanao.
During his first term (1877 - 1878) in the UST, he studied Cosmology, Metaphysics,
Theodicy and History of Philosophy.
It was during the school term (1878 - 1879) that Rizal took up medicine, enrolling
simultaneously in preparatory medical courses and the regular first year medical course.
The reason why he studied medicine were:
1. He wanted to be a physician so that he may cure his mother’s failing eyesight.
2. The Father Recto, whom he consulted for a choice of career, finally answered his
letter, and recommended medicine.
During his term in University of Santo Tomas (1877 - 1878), Jose also studied in Ateneo,
he took the vocational course leading to a title of porito agrimensor (expert surveyor).
Jose’s performance in UST was not as good as his accomplishments in Ateneo. He was
unhappy with this Dominican Institution of high learning because (1) the Dominican
professors were hostile to him, (2) the Filipino students were racially discriminated
against, and (3) the method of teachings were obsolete and repressive.
Also, Jose’s not-so-good performance can also be attributed to a number of distractions
he experienced as a youth in Manila, specifically his interest in women when he was a
UST student.
● Segunda Katigbak - The first woman that Jose was into. He frequently visited
her boarding house but when he learned that she was getting married, he turned
his eyes on another woman.
● At that time, he was courting both Leonor (Orang) Valenzuela and Leonor
Rivera. Upon learning that Orang was already engaged with another man, he
focused on courting Leonor Rivera, his first cousin. (but it did not last
bwuahahaha)
Rizal’s Activism in UST
Spanish and mestizo students called the Filipinos indio or chongo. In return, Jose and his
peers retaliated by calling them Kastila or bangus. As a result, student fights in the
university campus and even in the streets of Manila became common. Jose, being the
front-runner, was recognized for winning the brawls because of his determination and
skills in fencing and wrestling.
Rizal then created a secret group of Filipino students called “El Compañerismo de
Jehu” in 1880. It is an organization promoting civic and patriotic education among its
members, and mutual protection and support.
● Members were called Companions of Jehu, the patriot general of the Jews.
● Jose Rizal automatically became the president of this secret society and
Galicano Apacible was the secretary.
Jose’s activism was also expressed in his disapproval of the faulty and outmoded system
of education in the university during his time.
Decision to study abroad
After finishing the fourth year of his medical course, Jose decided to study in Spain. He
could no longer endure the rampant bigotry, discrimination, and hostility in UST. His
uncle, Antonio Rivera, Leonor’s father, encouraged him to go abroad. Thus, Jose Rizal
went to Universidad Central de Madrid in order to finish his medical studies, where
professors were more tolerant and understanding than those of the University of Santo
Tomas.
VI. Compare educational system today and during Spanish Period
Feature Spanish Period Present Educational System
Curriculum Focused on teaching the Spanish More comprehensive, including
language, Catholic Doctrine, and subjects like Science, Math, and
morality English
Accessibility Available only to a small elite class Compulsory for all children
between 6 and 18 years old
Literacy Rate The majority of the population Over 90% literacy rate
was illiterate Source:
https://psa.gov.ph/content/literacy-r
ate-and-educational-attainment-amo
ng-persons-five-years-old-and-over-
philippines
Teaching Methods Largely rote memorization and More interactive and
recitation student-centered
Assessment Based on the student’s ability to More holistic, considering the
recite memorized information student’s understanding and
application of the material
Infrastructure Schools were poorly makeshift Generally better equipped with
and poorly equipped better facilities
Language Primary instruction was made The medium of instruction is
free, and the teaching of Spanish primarily in English and Filipino
was compulsory
Inclusivity Education was privileged only to More inclusive, with efforts to
Spanish students promote equality and access to
education for all, regardless of
socio-economic status
Note:
1. Why did Jose Rizal transfer to UST instead of continuing or pursuing his studies in
Ateneo?
The Ateneo school during Rizal’s time was only up to high school or secondary. Only the
UST was a university and was offering courses at the college level for future careers.
