Chapter 1 Introduction to the Course Republic Act 1425 PDF

Preview

Summary

The Life and Works of Jose Rizal Chapter 1...

Description

The Life and Works of Jose Rizal By: Dr. Imelda C. Nery & Paul John G. Sion

Chapter 1: Introduction to the Course: Republic Act 1425 LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to: 1. Recognize the historical background and context of the Rizal Law and its important provisions; 2. Critically assess the effectiveness and significance of the Rizal Course; 3. Reflect upon themselves the idea and principles of Rizal in their life.

INTRODUCTION: Republic Act 1425 If you were to ask or say something to Dr. Jose Rizal, what would it be? Write at least two (2) questions on the silhouettes beside our national hero below. Then, answer the questions that follow. 1. What do you know about Dr. Jose Rizal? ____________________________________________________________________ 2. What is your reason for asking or saying those things to Rizal? ____________________________________________________________________ 3. Why do you think you need to study the life and works of Rizal? ____________________________________________________________________

THE RIZAL LAW AND ITS IMPORTANCE Republic Act. No. 1425, also known as the Rizal Law has been enacted on June 12, 1956 and was sponsored and authored mainly by the late Senator Jose P. Laurel and Senator Claro M. Recto. Rizal Law is a mandate to include in the course curricula of all public and private schools, colleges and universities the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

It is important to note that before the enactment of the Rizal Law, Senate Bill No. 438 was submitted to the Senate Committee on Education on April 3, 1956. It is “an Act to Include in the Curricula of All Public and Private Schools, Colleges and Universities courses on the Life Works and Writings of JOSE RIZAL, particularly his novels NOLI ME

TANGERE and EL FILIBUSTERISMO, Authorizing the Printing and Distribution Thereof, and for Other Purposes.

On April 17, 1956 the bill was sponsored and presented to the members of the Senate or the Upper House by the late Senator Jose P. Laurel, who was then the Chairman of the Committee. According to the late Senator Jose P. Laurel the dissemination of ideas and ideals of Jose Rizal through the reading of his works, notably the NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO is the main purpose of the bill. He stated that “Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be read by all Filipinos. They must be taken to heart, for in their pages we see ourselves as a mirror, our defects as well as our strength, our virtues as well as our vices. Only then would we become conscious as a people, and so learn to prepare ourselves for painful sacrifices that ultimately lead to self-reliance, self-respect and freedom (Laurel,Jr.,131). Meanwhile, Congressman Jacobo Z. Gonzales also filed a similar bill called House Bill No. 5561 to the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, akin to Senate Bill No. 438, House Bill No. 5561 had also been opposed contending its constitutionality and religiosity. It was then that a substitute bill has been proposed to include all the works and writings of Jose Rizal, ruling out the exclusivity of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo as the main features of the previous bills. Moreover, the late Senator Jose P. Laurel asserted the importance of reading the original and unexpurgated edition of Rizal’s novel because the true purpose of studying these will be defeated if not followed. On May 12, 1956 and May 14, 1956, Senate Bill No. 438 and House Bill No. 5561 were both unanimously approved on the second reading and in the Lower House. On June 12, 1956, the bill was signed into law by President Ramon Magsaysay, giving birth to Republic Act 1425 or the Rizal Law.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425 AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;

WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose Rizal, we remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped the national character; WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the youth, especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused; WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and to teach the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore, SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and universities, public or private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation shall be used as basic texts. The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed to adopt forthwith measures to implement and carry out the provisions of this Section, including the writing and printing of appropriate primers, readers and textbooks. The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate rules and regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out and enforce the provisions of this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for the exemption of students for reasons of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from the requirement of the provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this section; but not from taking the course provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said rules and regulations shall take effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette. SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography. The said unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in English as well as other writings of Rizal shall be included in the list of approved books for required reading in all public or private schools, colleges and universities. The Board of National Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books, depending upon the enrollment of the school, college or university. SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog and the principal Philippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular editions; and cause them to be distributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read them, through the Purok organizations and Barrio Councils throughout the country. SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section nine hundred twenty-seven of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious doctrines by public school teachers and other person engaged in any public school. SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be appropriated out of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. Approved: June 12, 1956 Published in the Official Gazette, Vol. 52, No. 6, p. 2971 in June 1956.

Think about this again: Why study the life and works of Rizal? It is apparent that during Rizal’s time, the Filipino identity is already diminishing—this was the rationale behind the enactment of the Rizal Law, which seeks to accomplish the following objectives: 1) To rededicate the lives of the youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which our heroes lived and died; 2) To play tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works for shaping the Filipino character; 3) To gain an inspiring source of patriotism thru the study of Rizal’s life, works and writings. The late Senator Jose P. Laurel, who sponsored the said law emphasized the need to know and imbibe the great ideals and principles for which Rizal died. After all, Rizal was the founder of Filipino nationality and the architect of the Filipino nation. It is by reading and studying Rizal’s life, teachings and writings that the young generation of the Philippines will be able to gain incorruptible confidence, direction, courage and determination to move forward in our people’s journey towards an abundant life. The teaching of Rizal Course in higher education institutions in our country today is anchored on the patriotic policy statements of Rizal Law and the patriotic goals set by the then Board on National Education (Capino et. Al, 1997). These goals are as follows: 1) To recognize the relevance of Rizal’s ideals, thoughts, teaching, and life values to present conditions in the community; 2) To apply Rizal’s ideas in the solution of day-to-day situations and problems in contemporary life; 3) To develop an understanding and appreciation of the qualities, behavior and character of Rizal; and 4) To foster the development of moral character, personal discipline, citizenship and vocational efficiency among the Filipino youth. Thus, the importance of the study of Rizal’s life, works and writings is to instill in ourselves the idea and ideals of Jose Rizal, and to develop a deeper awareness and understanding of its relevance so that in the long run, we may be able to apply them in our daily lives and become an active participant in nation-building.

Name______________________________________ Score_____________ Course and Section _________________________ Date______________ WORKSHEET 1 I. TRUE or FALSE. Write True if the statement is correct and False if it is not. __________1. Bill No. 1425 is an act to include the life, works, and writings of Jose Rizal in the in the curricula of all public and private schools, colleges and universities courses. __________2. According to Claro M. Recto and Jose P. Laurel, “Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be read by all Filipinos. They must be taken to heart, for in their pages we see ourselves as a mirror, our defects as well as our strength, our virtues as well as our vices. __________3. The enactment of Rizal Law seeks to rededicate the lives of the youth to the ideals of freedom and activism, for which our heroes lived and died; to pay his life and works in shaping the Filipino character; to gain an inspiring source of patriotism. __________4. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their libraries an adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography. __________5. It is by reading and studying Rizal’s life, teachings and writings that the Filipino youth will be able to gain incorruptible confidence, direction, courage and determination to move forward in our people’s journey towards an abundant life. II. ENUMERATION. Provide what is being asked for in each item. What are the objectives of the Rizal Law? 7.______________________________________________________________ 8. ______________________________________________________________ 9. ______________________________________________________________ What are the goals of the Rizal Law? 10. _____________________________________________________________ 11. _____________________________________________________________ 12. _____________________________________________________________ 13. _____________________________________________________________

III. SHORT ESSAY. In your own words, do think it is important to study Rizal’s life and works? ______________________________________________________________________ Name______________________________________ Score_____________ Course and Section _________________________ Date______________ WORKSHEET 2 Compare and contrast the arguments and views of those in favor of and against R.A. 1425, considering the context of the 1950s. Write your comparison on the table below. Arguments in favor of RA 1425

Arguments against RA 1425

Would similar arguments still have force today? Justify your answer in not more than three (3) sentences. ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________

Name______________________________________ Score_____________ Course and Section _________________________ Date______________ WORKSHEET 3 REFLECTION. Describe the kind of curriculum that your higher education institution offers its students in your course. Does your school comply with R.A. 1425? Do you think it is effective to include the Rizal Law in instilling patriotism among students like you? Why do you say so? Provide examples if you can to justify your claim. Write your reflection below. ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________...