Philosophy in Basic Education: Towards the Strengthening of the Foundations of Philippine Education

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Philosophy in Basic Education: Towards the Strengthening of the Foundations of Philippine Education
Language: English
Authors: Leander Marquez (ORCID 0000-0002-5270-1234)
Source: Policy Futures in Education. 2026 24(4):649-664.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Philosophy, Elementary Secondary Education, Educational Change, Critical Thinking, Skill Development, Religious Factors, Social Influences, Cultural Influences, Citizen Participation
Geographic Terms: Philippines
DOI: 10.1177/1478210317743650
ISSN: 1478-2103
Abstract: For the most part, in the Philippines, Philosophy is taught as one of the general education courses in colleges and universities, and usually focuses on fields such as philosophy of man, ethics, or logic. In light of the recent developments in the government's K to 12 Program, Philosophy will now be taught at the senior high school level. However, I believe that this is not enough. In order for Filipinos to evolve into critical thinkers, Philosophy should be introduced as a staple part of the basic education curriculum as early as elementary school. In this paper, I will argue that Philosophy should be taught to students at an early age in the Philippines for three reasons: 1) the study of Philosophy greatly enhances a student's critical thinking skills; 2) it opens the person to ideas outside his/her socio-cultural and religious milieu; and 3) it prepares the individual to be a more critical and analytical member of society. Finally, I will argue that it is in the nation's best interest to incorporate Philosophy into the country's basic education program since it can significantly help in nation-building.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1508517
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:For the most part, in the Philippines, Philosophy is taught as one of the general education courses in colleges and universities, and usually focuses on fields such as philosophy of man, ethics, or logic. In light of the recent developments in the government's K to 12 Program, Philosophy will now be taught at the senior high school level. However, I believe that this is not enough. In order for Filipinos to evolve into critical thinkers, Philosophy should be introduced as a staple part of the basic education curriculum as early as elementary school. In this paper, I will argue that Philosophy should be taught to students at an early age in the Philippines for three reasons: 1) the study of Philosophy greatly enhances a student's critical thinking skills; 2) it opens the person to ideas outside his/her socio-cultural and religious milieu; and 3) it prepares the individual to be a more critical and analytical member of society. Finally, I will argue that it is in the nation's best interest to incorporate Philosophy into the country's basic education program since it can significantly help in nation-building.
ISSN:1478-2103
DOI:10.1177/1478210317743650