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System of education is a preeminent means in the occupation of conquerors in the Philippines. It became a powerful way to inculcate the minds of the Filipinos to their influence, culture, and traditions. Looking back through the history, Philippine educational system started its development through an informal and not institutionalized one. Its existence is just like for survival and then series of occupants arrived and the birth of the formal system of education came through the Spaniards. We cannot deny the fact that through the legacies brought about by the colonizers, we have this educational system at present.  Education became the necessary ingredient to successfully conquer and overpower Filipinos in their own homeland and now in our contemporary era, it is also through education that we can empower ourselves to have a system that is truly ours — made, molded, and precepted specially for the Filipinos.The formation and development of the educational system is split into four periods. These periods are the four main stages which resulted in significant changes in the educational system. The first period is from year 900-1521 and this was called the year of early Filipinos. During this pre-colonial their education was rooted on teaching their children how to make each day productive and making their future.  The fathers trained their sons how to hunt and different means of livelihood. While, the mothers were in charge of the girls and teaching household chores. All knew how to read and write using the native alphabet, Alibata. However, they lacked scientific learning, resulting to failure in economic production. Eventually, the economic status of the country had a great effect in the system of education as they were not open to other developments.The second period is far different from the first period because the system changed into a formal one. The second period is from 1521- 1898 and this was the Spanish Regime. They were mandated to teach the natives how to read and write, and to learn Spanish based on King Philip II’s Law of the Indies. Unfortunately, compared with the men, it took a little time to establish schools and colleges for girls. Only in 1589, “Colegio de Santa Potenciana” was opened for girls; this was the first school and college for girls and followed by Colegio de Santa Isabel. The public school system in the Philippines was born in 1863 and also the Educational Decree 1863 which is the first ever educational system in the Philippines. It required the government to provide school institutions for boys and girls in every town. The sole responsibility of the missionaries, aside from teaching Christianity, was to control them in their hands with the rules and regulations imposed on the students.The third era is from 1899- 1943 and this is the American era that lasted for 45 years. They brought strong influences that are still evident in the lives of Filipinos today. They also valued education very much and made sure that every child receive education. Filipinos were taught by volunteer American soldiers and the Thomasites. The curriculum is not based on the religion this time it was on nationalism. Filipinos were taught about the deceased Filipino heroes and also about livelihood and also vocational education. In addition, something new was brought during that time. There were students that were called “Scholars” who excelled academically, they were given a chance to continue their studies and to pursue their professions in the United States. The American period gave a lot of opportunities to the Filipino people. The sad thing is we are still encapsulated by the American tradition and are facing colonial mentality brought by this era.The fourth era is from 1943-1946 this is the Japanese Occupation. A year after their occupation in the country, changes happened. Stated in the Military Order No. 2 in 1942 they presented some basic principle and guidelines of education for the reopening and operating schools. The guidelines include rules like Filipinos must stop patronizing western countries, recognize its part taking in the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, stop English language learning, and instead learn and adopt Nippongo and more. Education this time was focused on passion for work and dignity of labor and also a big part of the education is teaching Nippongo and using entirely pro-Japanese books and materials. They even showed Japanese movies and organized cultural productions with performers from Japan brought to the Philippines. Filipinos then acquired inspiration, love, and the cooperation among the Japanese.The present period of education in the Philippines can be seen with full of influences by the different eras but mostly the American period. Schools are categorized into public or private. The levels of education consist of nurseries, kindergartens and preparatory, moving on to six years of primary education, followed by four years of secondary education and college; similar with the American era. Generally, college education takes four, but with some courses it takes 5-8 years. Two or more years are added for graduate schooling or schooling for advanced study, mainly offered to those who have already attained a bachelor’s degree. Classes in the country start in June and end in March the following year. Some colleges follow the two-semester calendar namely: June-October and November-March while other universities, such as De La Salle University, follow a tri-semester pattern. Filipinos today are free to decide what profession they would take but it is evident that influences by the previous eras take part in Philippine education today.The current educational system the Philippine has is appropriate for the needs for the modern day Filipinos for it presents to the students different angles on certain issues, especially those concerning politics, which have once been manipulated in media under the absolute control of the oligarchs of society. At this age and time, students get to learn from the locals of their personal encounters and from people who are experts in different sectors, as far as the issues are concerned. Despite our education system being rooted from a long time ago, it found its way in adapting to the changing time.With all have been said, Philippine education system can be refined through having a system that truly aims to have educated Filipinos who love their own mother tongue and country. A successful educational system can be indicated through a well-developed country, progressive economy, and having people who are patriotic and nationalistic. First, this can be done through having more scholars that truly are excelling and incapable financially. These qualifications must be strictly implemented. Through this, we are giving opportunities to those who are persistent to learn and gain more knowledge.  Moreover, highlighting subjects that pertain to our identity as Filipinos such as History, Rizal, and Filipino. The edge to having an education system that is competitive globally is clearly knowing and having your own identity. Globalization is truly in every person in his/her life that tends to confuse Filipinos of their roots. If we keep on imitating or duplicating the traditions and ways of other nations, development wouldn’t be seen. We must utilize the use of education to pierce through the hearts and minds of Filipinos the value of nationalism and patriotism. Thus, Philippine education system must reflect the values, traditions, and culture of the Filipinos to take its stance in the global competition.