AMERICAN PERIOD
Welcome to our topic,
American period!
American period is one of the turning points which made our Philippine literary tradition
colorful and interesting.
This period saw the addition of a colorful language, the English language, as an
indispensable tool for literature and communication.
Indeed, this period witnessed a dramatic flowering of the Philippine literature considering
the sheer volume of works produced, the ringing of names etched in the Philippine literary
pantheon, as well as the introduction and development of new literary genres as genuine
additions to the already rich Philippine literary tradition.
So, brace yourselves and enjoy our literary journey together
By the time of completion of this topic, you should be able to:
1.Trace the historical events and development of Philippine Literature during the
American Period;
2.Acquaint the three literary strands, the Spanish, Filipino and English literatures, that
prospered during the American period; and
3.Identify the contributions of American period to the Philippine literary tradition.
Historical background of the American period The Filipino revolutionaries won against the
Spaniards and the Philippine Independence was proclaimed on June 12, 1898.
The flag was hoisted by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and the Philippine Republic was inaugurated
but was short-lived. The Philippines lost in the Philippine – American War with the
surrender of Gen. Miguel Malvar of Batangas and Gen. Simeon Ola of Bicol.
The spirit of nationalism of the people remained undaunted. Peace movements started as
early as 1900 and many Filipinos started writing again “after the sword was broken.”
The Filipino men-of-letters wrote all forms of literary genres like news, poetry, stories,
plays essays, novels which clearly depicted their love of country and longing for
independence.
EDUCATION UNDER THE AMERICAN PERIOD
Before the Philippines attained complete independence in 1946, the county’s education
system was patterned on the systems of Spain and the USA.
Spain colonized and governed the Philippines for more than three hundred (300)years and
the USA for 48 years.
>During the Spanish Period-16th Century religious School and University were opened.
> During the United States colonial period of the Philippines (1898-1946), the United States
government was in charge of providing education in the Philippines.
EDUCATION
Education became a very important issue for the United States colonial government, since
it allowed it to spread their cultural values, particularly the English language, to the Filipino
people. Instruction in English language, and American history, lead to forming of a national
identity and Filipino nationalism.
Every child from age 7 was required to register in schools located in their own town or
province. The students were given free school materials.
There were Three (3) Levels of Education during the American period.
The "Elementary" Level consisted of four primary years and 3 intermediate years.
The "Secondary" or High School level consisted of four years; and the third was
The "College" or Tertiary Level. Religion was not part of the curriculum of the schools. as it
had been during the Spanish period.
SPAIN PERIOD
Many elementary and secondary schools from the Spanish era were recycled and new ones
were opened in cities and provinces, among which there were normal, vocational,
agricultural, and business schools.
AMERICAN PERIOD
Universities that was built during the American Regime:
Philippine Normal School in 1901 ( Philippine Normal University)
Silliman University (1901),
Central Philippine University (1905),
Negros Oriental High School (1902),
St. Paul University Dumaguete (1904),
Cebu Normal School (1915) also a university at present,
Filamer Christian University (1904),
Iloilo Normal School in 1902 (now West Visayas State University) and
Zamboanga Normal School in 1904 (now Western Mindanao State University) ;
National University (1901);
University of Manila (1914); Philippine Women's University (1919); and
Far Eastern University (1933).
Vocational Schools are:
The Philippine Nautical School,
Philippine School of Arts and Trades (1901, now Technological University of the
Philippines) and
Central Luzon Agriculture School. The
University of the Philippines was also founded in 1908.
Schools were also built in remote areas like Sulu, Mindanao, and the Mountain Provinces,
where attention was given to Vocational and Health practice. In accordance with the 1935
Constitution, free education in public schools all over the country was provided by the
Commonwealth*. Nationalism was emphasized in schools.
Cooking, farming, sewing and some household activities together with vocational
education were given importance. Discipline and proper manners were also not neglected.
The Institute of Private Education aimed at observing private schools was established
Thomasites- Group of professionals sent by the United States Government who were
assigned to teach English Language.
Education Act of 1901 laid the foundation of the Philippine Public school system. In August
1901, 600 teachers are called “Thomasites” arrived. English was made medium of
instruction.
The Laws supporting the Educational System in the Philippines during American Period
Education Act of 1901
ACT 372- Maintain Provincial High School
Taft Commission-Organized a Civil Government
ACT No.74 (1901)-Established Public Primary School
SEC 1-13- Highly Centralized System
What did the American introduced in Philippine education?
Under the Americans, English was not only taught to every Filipino school child but was
adopted as the medium of instruction in all public schools. This was provided by Act No. 74
of the Philippine Commission, the same act which established the American public school
system in the Islands.
The Monroe Survey Commision
Purpose: To evaluate the entire school system that Americsn set up.
Bases: Act No.3162 and 3196 Educational reforms regarding methods and techniques of
teaching, supervision,teacher training and curriculum.
Evaluating of teaching learning.
1927
Aims for Education:
Training for Self-Governance
Provision of English as Common Language
What did the American introduced in Philippine Education?
Under the Americans, English was not only taught to every Filipino School child but was
adopted as the medium of instruction in all public schools. This was provided by Act No. 74
of the Philippine Commission, the same act which established the American public school
system in the Islands.
What are the aims of education during the American Era? Education in the Philippines
during the American Period (1898-1942) Educational goal during the American period is to
promote democratic ideals and way of life; formation of good citizens, including the rights
and responsibilities of people.
Personalities who was once considered as Pensionados/ Scholar
JOSE ABAD SANTOS
1886-1942
‘It is a rare opportunity to die for one’s country and not everybody is given that chance’.
Jurist, Patriot and Martyr
In the Educational field the Pensionados have been most active, many teaching upon return
from America and some later entering other fields.
Cenon Monasterial, Francisco The Pensionado Story 11 Benitez, Digno Alba,
Francisco Llamado, Jose Espiritu, Eustacio Ilustre, Alejandro Santos, Esteban Ibalio,
Elizabeth Florendo, Eleanor de Leon and Clementa Asturias have largely remained in
their classrooms.
Whether they are the Manong’s who worked in the field of sugar cane or the Pensionado’s
who brought up to become civilized leader, the common ground is that they were the
Filipinos who hungered for a CHANGE.
Reference
https://www.k12academics.com/Education%20Worldwide/Education%20in%20the
%20Philippines/education-philippines-during-american-rule
https://www.academia.edu/6945428/
Education_in_the_Philippines_during_the_American_Period_1898_1942
Questioner
1.Who once considered as Pensionado / Scholar?
A. Jose Abad Santos
B. Mario Abad Santos
C. Alejandro Abad Santos
2. In what year Proclaimed the Philippines Independence day?
A. June 12, 1889
B. June 12, 1898
C. June 12, 1989
3.What is the Three (3) levels of Education during the American Period? In order.
A. Secondary, College, Elementary
B. College ,Elementary, Secondary
C. Elementary, Secondary, College
4. In the American Period, What year build the University of Manila?
A. 1913
B.1914
C.1917
5. In August 1901, what we called to the Teacher’s arrived in the Philippines?
A. Thomoshites
B. Thomashites
C. Thomasites
