The idea of the importance of Christian education was firmly established by leaders of the Protestant Reformation such as Martin Luther and John Calvin.
There are five educational reforms initiated by the reformers that significantly changed the face of education and still impact our educational system today. First is universal education. Before the Reformation, education was the privilege of only wealthy aristocrats and priests but the reformers argued that it should be made available to all. Their schools were first to educate girls to find their potential and apply it to their work.
The second reform says that the church and parents are responsible for education. The reformers believe that the primary responsibility of educating children fell upon the church and the parents. Luther personally started numerous schools in existing churches. Congregations were expected to provide necessary funding and oversight and parents are expected to let their children attend classes and reinforce instruction at home.
The third reform states that the goal of a child’s education is both theological and applied and includes study of nature and the natural world. The reformers’ doctrine of God’s providence and sovereignty over all creation impacted how they approached the study of all topics. The reformers believe that their movement would grow through a study of the arts and sciences seen through the lens of scripture.
The fourth reform believes that good education requires gifted christian teachers. They viewed teachers as officers and servants of the church so they must not only be trained in the subjects that they would teach but also obtain a degree in theology.
The last reform was that education should prepare students to be good citizens of the church and of the state. John Calvin started the Genevan Academy, a university that offered higher learning in a number of subjects including theology, training pastors and those preparing for other vocations serving the church and the government.
According to Beeke, “Wherever the followers of the Reformation went, they founded churches, schools and colleges. Many of our early colleges like Yale, Harvard and Princeton were originally based on the model of the Genevan Academy.
In the contemporary Philippine education system, christian education is also given importance. Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao is taught in elementary and secondary public schools while the subject Christian living or catechism is taught in private elementary and secondary schools.
As the years went by, education in the Philippines has also been free among the many public schools, colleges and universities. Other students in the private schools also receive subsidy from the government. Government officials are also providing ample of scholarships for both pupils, students and teachers who still want to grow professionally.
Science high schools do provide free education, board and lodging for those students who meet the required grades when they were in elementary. In Lucena city, governor Jayjay Suarez had initiated this program which had helped a lot of students from the different municipalities in Quezon province.
The same service has been given by the Sisters of Mary in its four campuses since 1985. High school students from the poorest of the poor are given free education, shelter, food, medicine, clothes, school supplies and other personal needs.
Churches has been supporting christian education through sending catechists in the different elementary and public schools. There has also been a number of parochial schools in the Philippines whose primary aim is to mold a person to become a good citizen in the eyes of God and his fellow being while learning the other lessons that they need as they face the world of work and service.
There are specific schools of theology in the Philippines for those who wants to spend their lives in serving God and the community. Brothers of Christs, Lady Mediatrix Institute and Adventist University of the Philippines are among the many schools offering theological courses for those who wants to be nuns, pastors and priests.
In today’s Philippine education, although a degree in theology is not requirement… teachers are expected to integrate the knowledge about God and about being a good citizen of our country.
The government in cooperation with the Department of Education and Commission in Higher education keeps on providing buildings, facilities, training and seminars so as to produce better products in the different fields of learning.
In the Sisters of Mary, a junior and senior high school is offered to poor students for free but the administration ensures giving the best and high quality education that later help them in finding jobs in the reputable companies within and outside the country.
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