A Humanistic Curriculum: Solution for Philippine Moral Decline

j.reylan b. viray

The Problem

Philippine society is faced with various problems such as economic, social and political. More and more Filipinos cannot cope up with the continuous increase of prices of basic commodities. Foreign debts servicing gets the biggest chunk of the National Budget. Oil prices in the world market rises to points where the Philippine Deregulation Law proved to be insufficient and futile. Trade markets are going down the drain. More investors, foreign and local, are pulling their investments from corporations for fear of unfavorable returns. Government agencies tasked to address economic problems proved to be inefficient and incompetent. Vital institutions like PNP, AFP and COMELEC are beset with controversies of corruption and partisan politicking. Election frauds are common sight. Allegations of graft and corruption from Barangay officials to the highest post in the land are common occurences. Sexual harassments in work places and learning institutions are abound.

All these problems, including those which are economic, that we are confronted with are grounded on the evident and alarming moral decay. There is no doubt that Philippines is on the verge of moral decline. Universities and other learning institutions which are supposed to teach their students with humanity, compassion, honesty and empathy failed with their mission.

What had happened to our values and righteous character?

Can there be a viable solution?

Can we still have moral recovery?

Role of Universities and Learning Institutions

Universities and learning institutions are supposed to mold students, besides their parents, into morally upright individuals. All programs must be geared towards the development of a total individual, a person who has excellent technical know-how and a perfectly delightful character. Hence, a civil engineer who graduated with all academic honors we can think of may not be a total individual if the structure he will build later is made of sub-standard construction materials. A board topnotcher of accountancy is no doubt an excellent thinker, however, he can only prove that he is a total individual if he practices his profession with all integrity and honesty. Henceforth, a good University does not only produce topnotchers in board examinations but cultivate among its students the value of virtues.

A Need for Re-evaluation

Perhaps, with all these morality grounded crises, it is now high time to re-evaluate our academic system. It’s about time that we assess and accept if necessary our mistakes. If there is a need to change the whole academic set-up, let it be. Our generation had so far seen many people’s revolutions than other earlier generations just to effect drastic changes in governance. We had removed national leaders, toppled and compelled presidents to vacate their seats; we keep on struggling for change. Henceforth, it’s not yet hopeless. Hope is still on the horizon.

With the prodding of powerful nations like USA, Philippine universities in the current system are inclined towards the technical like engineering, Information Technology and science courses. This is in line with the growing demands of powerful nations for technical workers. We lure multinational companies with cheap labor. We invite them to set up their manufacturing arms in our economic zones in Laguna, Cavite, Bataan and Zambales with a promise that they can reduce their labor expenses to 80 or even 90%. This means employment and taxes but a lot more profit for these companies.
What the Commission on Higher Education did to cope up was it reduced humanities, philosophy/ethics, arts and social sciences in curriculum and instead increase technical and science courses. Possibly, this was the reason why graduates of the current curriculum are more scientific and technical than moral.

Solution: Curriculum Revision

The viable solution that I can think of is the revision of curriculums in most baccalaureate programs. I suggest the following additional units in some programs:

For Engineering Courses

Applied Ethics
Humanities and Art Appreciation
More units in History and Philippine Studies
More units in Sociology and Philippine Culture
More units in Literature (Philippine Literature)

For Medical Courses/Health Sciences

Applied Ethics (Bio-Ethics)
Theology
Humanities and Art Appreciation
More units in History and Philippine Studies
More units in Sociology and Philippine Culture
Anthropology
More units in Literature

For Public Administration Courses

More units in History and Philippine Studies
Applied Ethics
Philosophy
Sociology
Humanities
More units in Psychology

For Business Courses

Applied Ethics/ Business Ethics
Humanities/Art Studies
Literature
Sociology
Philosophy
More units in history and Philippine Studies

These courses or subjects should be strengthened and enhanced. If they are already offered, more units must be taken. This is the only way we can change the nation….through and by humanistic curriculum….. A humanistic curriculum is one which tries to make man humane. It tries to elevate man to human.