Catholic Education in the Philippines

Introduction

The Philippines is the most predominantly Catholic country in Asia. Its culture and tradition have been influenced by Christianity since the Spanish came in 1500s to colonize what was then an archipelago ruled by different and oftentimes warring tribes headed by local chieftains or datu. Since then, Christian doctrines and teachings had been integrated into the local or native and pre-colonial culture. Today, what can be considered Filipino is an integration of both the local or native pre-colonial traits and practices and the colonial influences – Spanish and American and the influences of the early trading partners of the natives – the Chinese and the Malays. One important aspect of the Filipino culture where Christianity made a lasting impact is in education. Christian education is perhaps one of the enduring influences of the Spanish.

When the ecclesiastical authority of the Roman Catholic Church was established in the country right after the arrival of the Spanish,...