ATHENIAN EDUCATION
Originally, Athens was like Sparta in its approach to the education of the citizens, with a heavy orientation towards the military training which was later renounced for armed combat was only a sport although they were obliged to fight for the fatherland yet civil aspect of life and culture has been prominent. Athenian education was mainly for the boys and the girls were entrusted to their mothers for oral and domestic training. There were three schools for boys: letter school for reading and writing; music school for lyric, poetry and lyre and gymnastic school for physical training. All these were attended by them within a day.Teaching good conduct and morals through poems were given importance.
The curriculum consisted of writing, music, poetry, mathematics and gymnastics. Subjects like religion, social studies, government etc. were taught embedded in writing, poetry, music, etc. They studied until they were 18 years old and after that they undergo military training until they reached 20 years old. By that time they were free to choose which career to specialize in yet in most cases, they preferred a career in state affairs.
The sophists were itinerant teachers from outside Athens who came and shared their knowledge for those Athenians who can listen and learn with payment. They were also the source of higher education in more advance Greek cities.
Thereafter they were replaced by the new philosophic schools , such as those of Plato and Socrates. Socrates did not sell his knowledge for he taught out of genuine interest in the truth and knowledge. They taught about debate and public speaking. They also taught about language and grammar in order to speak, write and think well. They also developed the use of logic and the science of proper reasoning. They really helped youths to develop their skills in public speaking and thus their preparation for public life.
During the early times, Philippine education was similar with that of the Athenian education where in the young girls are entrusted to their mothers to undergo oral and domestic training for it was believe that they must learn all the household chores such as cooking, washing the dishes and the clothes and tending the household in preparation for the time when themselves shall have a family of their own.
Nowadays K to 12 curriculum is utilized in the Philippines in order to cope up with the global changes in the requirements when it comes to education. Pupils are expected to attend classes in the day care centers where they learn to mingle with other pupils as they also learn the very basic things such as writing and coloring. Their characters and values are also developed here.
Pupils spend six years in elementary. At first, they can use the mother tongue in their classes. They are taught to write, read and count I the first grade. As they take the different ladders in elementary education, topics in the different subjects become complex. It is said to be done in a spiral approach. After graduating from elementary, they are expected to attend their classes in the junior high school for four years. The subjects taken are just the same. The topics may be the same but Its just more complex compared with the subjects in elementary.
After graduating from junior high school, that is the time when students are given the proper guidance to choose from the different tracks or courses offered in senior high school. In the school where I am teaching right now, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Electronic Processing And Servicing plus General Academic Strand are offered. Although our principal considers having Administration And Business Management which is very much helpful to the students when they finally take the courses that they want in college.
Before the birth of K to 12 Curriculum, I can say that this has been a long practice of The Sisters Of Mary. It was a totally full scholarship for four years. The Sisters Of Mary offers courses in electronics, dressmaking, drafting and mass production, typing and computer, stenography, bookkeeping, automotive, welding, refrigeration and air conditioning that makes the reputable companies in the Philippines and even abroad hire them over those who even graduated with a collegiate degree from other schools.
But with the birth of K to 12, the Sisters Of Mary School also implemented the senior high school to comply with the Department of Education making it the best academic school in the Philippines. After graduating from senior high school, students may enter nunnery, work in reputable companies or continue their college, masters and doctoral degrees.
Students from other public and private schools may continue their technical education or they can pursue their liberal education and be professionals in any field.
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