Senator Robin Padilla on Tuesday voiced concerns over the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) proposed “reframed” general education curriculum, warning that changes to Philippine history education may weaken students’ sense of national identity.
During a privilege speech at the Senate plenary session on May 6, Padilla questioned provisions under a new CHED memorandum aligned with Republic Act No. 7722, which restructures general education requirements in higher education institutions.
Under the proposed framework, a 3-unit course on Rizal and Philippine Studies will be retained as a core subject, while a standalone subject on Readings in Philippine History will no longer be offered separately.
“Ang kasaysayan ng Pilipinas ay nararapat na bigyan ng higit na pansin at dedikasyon sa curriculum, higit pa sa isang simpleng 3-unit na kurso,” Padilla said.
He added that he shares the position of many historians who believe Philippine history should not be condensed or minimized.
“Kaisa ako ng maraming mga historyador sa paninindigan na ang kasaysayan ng Pilipinas ay nararapat bigyan ng higit na pansin at dedikasyon sa curriculum higit pa sa tatlong unit na kurso,” the senator said.
“Ipaabot sa aking kapwa mambabatas, mga ahensya ng gobyerno at sa publiko ang mga alalahanin na sa aking pananaw ay magkakaroon ng hindi maikakailang epekto sa nasyonalismo ng ating mga mag-aaral,” he added.
Padilla also stressed that history should not be reduced to summaries or bullet points.
“Ang kasaysayan natin ay hindi pwedeng paikliin lang na parang summary o gawing bullet points. Ito ang kwento kung sino tayo. At kapag pinutol ang kwentong iyon, unti-unti ring nawawala ang damdamin natin para dito,” Padilla emphasized.
He further warned against what he described as the risk of “watering down” historical identity in the name of curriculum efficiency and streamlining, while also raising concerns about fake news and historical distortion.
“Ang kasaysayan natin ay hindi pwedeng paikllin lang na parang summary o gawing bullet points. Ito ang kwento kung sino tayo. At kapag pinutol ang kwentong iyon, unti-unti ring nawawala ang damdamin natin para dito,” he said.
“Huwag sana natin isakripisyo at palabnawin ang ating historical identity kapalit ng efficiency at streamlining,” Padilla noted.
The senator has earlier filed Senate Bill No. 605, or the “Philippine History as a Separate Subject Act,” which seeks to restore Philippine History as an independent subject in the high school curriculum.
Padilla argued that students should be given a deeper understanding of national history during their formative years, when critical thinking and civic awareness are more developed.
Under the current K to 12 curriculum, Philippine History was removed as a standalone subject in high school in 2014 and integrated into broader social studies subjects in junior high school and specialized social science subjects in senior high school.
