Philosophy of the basic education curriculum: implications for gender-sensitive education
- 1. Philosophy of the Basic Education Curriculum: Implications for Gender-Sensitive Education BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY Our upbringing is influenced by family beliefs and traditions, culture, school attended, and society EVA AURORA D. CALLUENG conditions. – Educational frameworks shape notions and 6th International Conference on Teacher Education ideas that reflect to our knowledge of and 2010 (ICTED 2010) attitude toward certain truths SEAMEO INNOTECH Regional Center, Quezon City, Philippines Ex. Christian schools viewed homosexuality July 30, 2010 with disapproval that is captured well in the following biblical passages: Don’t you know those who do wrong will have no share in the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, BEC Cornerstone who are idol worshipers, adulterers, male (Makatao, Makabayan, Makakalikasan, prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy Maka-Diyos) people, drunkards, abusers, and swindlers, none of these will have a share in the Kingdom of God Discriminatory practices against LGBTs, (I Corinthians Chap.6 Verses 9-10) (New Living stereotyping, labeling et al. Translation, 1996) (Italics supplied) SWS surveys (1996, 2001) Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Leviticus 18:22 YAFSS surveys (2002, 2004) (Gideons International, 1983). SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY DEFINITION OF TERMS There are few researches in the Philippines that Discrimination shall be understood to imply any focus on gender and sexuality education issues. distinction, exclusion, restriction, or preference which is based on any ground such as sex, sexual BEC provides the importance of addressing the orientation, gender identity, whether actual or social needs and awareness of students. perceived, and which has the purpose of effect of Exposition of the gaps between policy formulation nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment and implementation or exercise by all persons of an equal footing of Presentation of discriminatory practices rights and freedoms (United Nations, 2003). committed against LGBT in the Education Sector LGBT stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender.
- 2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE Gender Identity refers to the personal sense of AND STUDIES identity as characterized among others by manner of clothing, inclinations, and behavior Major philosophical frameworks in education in relation to masculine or feminine 1. Conservative or the Traditionalist conventions (LAGABLAB, 2001). 1.1 Perennialism 1.2 Essentialism 2. Progressive Sexual Orientation refers to the enduring 2.1 Pragmatism emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectional 2.2 Naturalism attraction to another person (APA, 1998 p.1) 2.3 Existentialism 2.4 Reconstructionism RRL CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK Philosophical Foundation/s Of Education BEC 2002 G E N D Homosexuality in the Philippines Vision E Content of the BEC R Gender Sensitivity Mission S E Heterosexism and Homophobia N S Learning Areas I Centralization of Power T I V I Fluidity of Human Sexuality Implementation T Y Sheets of Oppression Assumed in this study is, the content of the Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) is based on a certain philosophical METHODOLOGY framework. This means, in turn, that the vision, mission, learning content and objectives of the BEC, because it is based A descriptive study that utilized primary sources of information through: on the content of the BEC, is partly or significantly influenced Documentary Analysis by that philosophical base. The content of the learning areas is Key Respondent Interviews further assumed to be selected based upon the consideration of – Faculty Members and Principals the curriculum’s philosophy. Implementation, on the other – Department of Education Administration and hand, is believed to be congruent with the philosophical Staffs of Curriculum Division framework upon which the BEC is based. • Dr. Moraleda, Chief Curriculum Division, The basic assumption of the conceptual framework is that, if BSE the philosophical base of the BEC includes teaching of • Dr. Nolido, Chief Curriculum Division, BEE homosexual issues as one of its core concepts, then the • Ms. Melinda P. Rivera, Project Lead, inclusion of gender sensitive issues is carried on to all bodies DepEd of learning areas whenever possible. • Ms. Rosalie B. Masilang, Co-Lead, DepEd
- 3. Priest Fr. Conegondo Garganta, Executive Secretary, PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND Episcopal Commission on Youth INTERPRETATION OF DATA CBCP Gender experts, Gender rights activists Research Question number 1 Participant Observation Method What is/are the philosophical basis/bases of the Basic - students of Pinyahan Elementary School Education Curriculum (BEC)? and Flora A. Ylagan High School Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) -Out of School Youths (OSYs) -Sangguniang Kabataan Council Members of Western Samar and Cagayan De Oro City -University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) students Results On philosophical basis/bases Research Question number 2 BEC is progressive based on its content. It aims to address the ongoing forces that influence the Which part/s of the philosophical base of the BEC educational system. refers to gender-sensitive education? “The current curriculum compliments the changes The four cornerstone (4 M’s) showed that gender in the society for students to better understand sensitivity is part of the BEC’s guiding their lessons” ( Moraleda, 2007). (translated) philosophies. Makatao (mindful of humanity) and Maka-Diyos Document shows that DepEd remodeled the (Godly) provided the explanation for this. curriculum in recognition of the different societal crises they aim to respond to. GAD plan was GAD Plan in 1997 referred gender education as included in 1997 Population Education one of the core areas for development. Curriculum to respond to the gender issues in education. *GAD Curriculum Research Question number 3 Gender Rights and Responsibilities In what particular learning area/areas is/are teaching Changing Role of Men and Women of gender sensitivity included? Women Empowerment Gender Issues and Concerns Since gender- sensitivity is part of BEC’s guiding E. Gender issues and concerns should be considered in the formulation philosophies, it is assumed that gender issues are of policies and programs related to development. reflected to the five (5) Learning Areas E3. Homosexuality is a reality in the Philippine society and (Makabayan, Filipino, English, Mathematics, and homosexuals should be respected and allowed to participate actively in Science). development activities. -Different understanding about the topic E4. Gender stereotypes which occur in the home, media, field of entertainment, industry, education, and other sectors should be -Close examination if the curriculum plan discouraged and eliminated (DECS, 1997). -E3 is the only concept not integrated in both elementary and secondary education lessons.
- 4. Research Question number 4 Are gender-sensitivity issues being taught at the Research Question number 5 basic education level? a.How are gender-sensitivity issues being taught at What are the implications of this curriculum the basic education levels? to: Gender sensitivity issues are taught at the basic a. Teachers? education levels. Teachers include on their lesson plans b. Students? specific objectives that deal with the different gender issues and as mandated by the curriculum. c. School Policies? -Participant observations results d. Society in General? -Language used, extent of teaching; role of teachers -hidden messages Cont… SUMMARY The philosophical framework of BEC is progressive Noted is the fact that homosexuality is the only and is guided by Reconstructionism topic among the eighteen (18) key concepts BEC recognizes homosexuality as a social reality and provided in the GAD Curriculum that is neither is integrated in the Population Education Curriculum introduced nor integrated in both elementary and of 1997 but does not provide at what grade level it secondary education lessons. should be introduced. Gender sensitivity extends only up to the token The VMG of the BEC clearly provides us with the idea recognition of homosexuality in paper. that gender sensitivity is indeed part of the Some teachers are not aware of gender issues and philosophies guiding the educational framework. concerns in education. They are unaware or Gender and Development (GAD) is being taught in unfamiliar with the GAD curriculum. learning areas namely: Teachers and students use the terms sex, gender, – English, Filipino, Hekasi (for elementary students), and sexuality interchangeably. Social Studies (for high school students), Science and Technology, and PEHM (Physical Education, Health and Music). •The aim of the BEC to produce makabayan, makatao, maka-Diyos, and makakalikasan CONCLUSIONS learners is unattainable because it is lacking in force in producing a holistic and gender sensitive Topics and ideas that are still unclear to most people are: approach to education. Different notions of ‘philosophy’ Different realities, religious convictions, traditional Homosexuality beliefs, and discriminatory practices against this Gender sensitivity community will continue to exist since there is no Ignorance proper education that would explain its nature. Education system may not yet be ready in integrating the concept of homosexuality in the curriculum. Lastly, it goes to show that there is much work to Possible reasons for this hesitation are as follows: be done to attain a gender sensitive nation through Religiosity the utilization of the BEC’s content. Media Family
- 5. RECOMMENDATIONS To the Department of Education To Faith-Based Institutions THANK YOU! To School Administrators To Fellow Researchers To Fellow Teachers To Students