VILLAR CALLS FOR A MORE BALANCED AND RESPONSIVE
CURRICULA IN LOCAL SCHOOLS

Senator Manny Villar, President of the Nacionalista Party, has a few subjects in mind that he wants included in the curricula of public elementary, secondary schools and colleges in the country that would allow Filipino students to receive a more well-rounded and responsive education.

"The education sector should be attuned with the needs of the times. There are subjects that are taught in schools that may not be relevant anymore. In the same way that there are subjects that ought to be included in the schools' curricula, there is a need to continuously review the subjects being taught in school," cites Villar.

Among the subjects that Villar proposes on his various Senate bills to be included in schools' curricular are entrepreneurship education (thru Senate Bill 509); information technology education (thru S.B. 538); community work (thru S.B. 541); and course on the Philippine society and the environment (thru S.B. 560).

As a vocal proponent of entrepreneurship, Villar believes that entrepreneurial education should be infused in the local school system. According to him, "This would remove the old archetype of Philippine schools preparing students to be employees. Entrepreneurial education should start at the earliest level."

Under S.B. 541, Villar seeks to compel intermediate grade schoolers, secondary and college students to do community work as part of their curriculum and as prerequisite for graduation. According to Villar, "We should encourage the youth to be actively involved in public and civil affairs. This would instill in them a sense of nationalism."

Meanwhile, through S.B. 560 or an act to integrate in the curricula of all education institutions including non-formal, indigenous learning and out-of-school programs, a course on the Philippine society and the environment, Villar hopes to inculcate concern over the environment among Filipino students.

"We have a shared responsibility in taking care of our environment. All of us are responsible for whatever environmental degradation and destruction happening around us. Educating students about this is a concrete step for them to better appreciate the environment and to be more involved in its protection and preservation," says Villar.