Teachers’ group calls for more critical PHL history in high school

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) on Wednesday called for a ‘deeper’ and ‘critical’ lessons in Philippine history, as the country commemorates the 40th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

“As educators, we urge the strengthening and expansion of Philippine History in high school, with deeper, more critical engagement with Martial Law, the People Power Revolution, and the importance of active citizenship,” the group said in a statement.

“In an era of competing narratives, schools must remain spaces where evidence-based history is taught and democratic values are nurtured,” it added.

In 2024, Education Secretary Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara said that President Ferdinand E. Marcos Jr. ordered him to discuss history lessons in schools more comprehensively.

“He mentioned history and how it should not focus solely on memorization but on understanding and comprehending what happened and why it happened,” he said in Filipino in a television interview with GMA-7.

“It’s making history interesting for our young people,” he added.

40 years after the EDSA revolution, the TDC underscored that the historical event must be taught in classrooms with factual evidence and accuracy.

“Commemoration must widen democratic space, protect constitutional freedoms, and encourage citizens, especially the youth, to remain engaged in nation-building, to learn democracy,” it said.

“The TDC stands firm in advocating for historical truth, meaningful remembrance, and an education system that equips Filipinos to defend and deepen our democracy,” it added.

The 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution was a series of demonstrations that led to the ousting of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, Sr., after 20 years of rule. — Almira Louise S. Martinez