Spartan education is mainly focused on military education among male individuals aiming to build a healthy mind and body in order for them to be able to defend their land. They also give importance to values education. They are said to be loyal to their partners in life. They are known for their being able to sacrifice themselves especially when it comes to their sexual lives. They could stand abstaining from sexual acts if they were still battling with their enemies. When they fought a certain battle, family members would not be happy to see them if they lost a battle while they would rejoice even if their family members died in battle as long as they won the fight. In Spartan education, only male individuals were given the chance to study in a military camp. Females were confined at home to undergo moral and domestic training.
Comparing it with the Philippine educational system; during the early days, it was also the males who were given more importance in the society believing that they have to support their own families and the families that they would soon have in the future. They were also given a lot of privileges compared to females. They were usually the leaders of communities. Females used to stay at home to tend their homes: cooking for their husbands and children, washing their clothes and the dishes, keeping their houses and surroundings clean and taking care of their children just like the women in Sparta.
During the Spanish regime, only a few were given the chance to attain education, only the elite where Dr. Jose P. Rizal belonged had the chance to study. Other Filipinos were kept “indios” due to the fact that the Spaniards were afraid that the Filipinos would start a revolution against them. During the American domination, everyone were given the chance to study with the Thomasites as their first teachers. They established educational centers for primary, secondary and tertiary education. English language has been given focus that is the reason why those who studied during that time were really good in speaking in English even if they had not graduated from elementary. There were even some who taught in elementary even if they were just elementary graduates. I have even witnessed one from the school where I had my elementary education. As the years passed by, the educational system has undergone a lot of changes to uplift its quality. Unlike the Spartans, all Filipinos were given the chance to access quality education under EFA goal which stands for Education For All. A lot of curriculum had been designed and used by the Department of Education namely Basic Education Curriculum, Revised Basic Education Curriculum, Understanding By Design and the latest which is K to 12 Curriculum Program.
In the K to 12 Curriculum Program of the Department of Education, all Filipinos are encouraged to study no matter in what age bracket are they in. It consists of kindergarten, primary education, secondary education – junior high school and senior high school. In the junior high school, the basic subjects are taught wherein the students in the senior high school take the track that is in lined with their interest and abilities. Under the Commission on Higher Education, tertiary education, masters degree program and doctoral degree program can also be attained by everyone as long as they pass the qualification in the different fields of learning. In terms of values education that was given importance in the Spartan education, in kindergarten it is also the main focus. Kindergarten education aims to enhance the positive attitudes and values which were already taught at home.
In the primary education, values is also integrated in the different subjects taught by the teachers. The same thing is happening in the secondary, tertiary, masters and even degree program. Developing and applying positive values is always being reminded to the students. It is said that most of the employers hire for attitude rather than skills for skilled can be learned unlike attitude which really needs to be developed from childhood up to old age so it must really be cultivated well beginning at home. Values education is also taught by the Catholic Church during masses. The Catholic Church and other religious groups even send some catechist or teachers of values in the primary and secondary schools especially in the far flung areas. In the Catholic schools, the center of their educational system is values and I have observed that from The Sisters of Mary where I graduated when I was in high school as well as in Our Lady of Lourdes Academy and Lady Mediatrix Institute where I was given a chance to teach before I got hired in public school. Just like in Sparta, there is also military education in Mindanao and in Baguio City at “Philippine Military Academy” participated by both men and women. They are tasked to defend the country from all kinds of threat. Bachelor of Science in criminology is also offered to both males and females who wish to help in maintaining the peace and order in the different parts of the country.
Dean's 