Filipino: Senior High Students' Perceptions on the Removal of Filipino Subject in College

Abstract

The implementation of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 20 series of 2013, also known as the “General Education Curriculum Holistic Understandings, Intellectual and Civic Competencies,” promotes Filipino and Panitikanas no longer a mandatory or core subject in the college curriculum. This has been debated since 2013. The news elicited varying reactions from the Filipinos, particularly the students and teachers who are part of the academe. Some were worried about how the removal of the Filipino subject would affect the students' learning and their appreciation of Filipino, as well as weaken the integrity, pride, and identity of the nation and the Filipinos as a whole. Thus, it is imperative to look at the opinions of the SHS students, who will be directly affected by this move as incoming college students. The method of research that we used is descriptive-quantitative. The purpose of this quantitative research is to find out the total number of Grade 12 students that agree or disagree with the removal of the Filipino subject. The respondents were Grade 12 students of St Mary's College Quezon City, School Year 2019-2020. Initially, the majority of the students are aware that CMO No. 20 is about the removal of the Filipino subject fromthe college curriculum. Out of 85 students, 73 (85%) answered that it is the removal of the Filipino Subject, 4 (4%) answered that they know it is already implemented, 2 (2%) know that it is the discretion of the school, and 6 (7%) have no idea about it. The first question gathered 2 (Disagree) as the weighted mean, the second question gathered 2.27 (Disagree), the third gathered 2.32, the fourth gathered 2.65, fifth 1.87 (Strongly Disagree), sixth 2.65 (Disagree). The majority of the respondents disagree with the said memorandum. However, the respondents also acknowledge that there are advantages if the said memorandum will be implemented. Almost half (43%) of the respondents disagreed that the school expenses or tuition fees will drop when the subject is removed from the college curriculum. Also, 45% of the respondents agree that the workload of the college students will decrease. Based on the study, most students are already aware of and disagree with the memorandum. Thus, students still recognize the need to be honed in the Filipino subject. In case this will be completely implemented, school officials should also create opportunities to enhance students' skills in the Filipino language in the absence of a formal subject. The said memorandum must be reviewed and rechecked for its effects on the students –particularly the SHS students who will be the ones to experience this proposed change. Hence, it would be useful to do a follow-up study on a wider scope to include more students and sources. Another research can also focus on identifying deeper effects on students as well as the teachers and the nation.