Education has been defined as a deliberate and scientific method of handing down knowledge by one generation on how to make most of life to the next. This process has been responsible for the growth of civilization. Originally the handing of skills was individual, from father to son, mother to daughter, always from the older to the succeeding generation... As civilization grew, the process became class oriented. Before becoming craftsmen youth had to undergo apprenticeship to masters or become pages to nobles. At the death of feudalism, education became national in nature and used as a powerful tool of politics. When Prussia was denied by Napoleon of every form of self government except education, Prussian educators such as Fichte, von Humboldt and others deliberately fashioned an educational system to regenerate Germany. German education not only fostered nationalism but generated a work ethic, research and other scientific advances that made them a formidable nation in both World Wars.
Japan, after centuries of isolation was forced open. Educators of that country by intelligent and purposeful manipulation succeeded in bringing Japan to the modern times within a single generation. In recent times, nations noting the effectiveness of national education in politics decided to modify the methods to create an industrial and economic, climate which could give her citizens a better way of life. There seems to be universality in the education system though some countries introduce variations. The educational schedule is generally divided into four phases namely elementary, secondary, higher, meaning training for the professions, and post graduate – master; and doctorate degrees. Some countries like the Philippines, elementary education is six years. It prepared the child for the next step. Language, that is reading and writing and arithmetic are the important subjects. Character building and cultural subjects are also taught. In some countries, however, Grades VII and VIII are added to give the child a so called more complete education.
Secondary or high school education is universally four years. However some States in the United States divide high school into Junior High and High School proper that means the whole secondary years span from five to six years. These years are geared to preparation for the professions. College years needed to acquire a profession takes four to five years, masters degree another two years and doctorate three to four years. Here, we tend to limit education to six years elementary, four years high school and four to five years in the professions. Those who want to specialize may take advanced courses if they have the time and inclination. More often we graduate twenty two year old professionals, engineers who can hardly communicate, accountants who cannot distinguish between a Salvador Dali and a van Gogh. In short we graduate professionals with one track minds and mostly unemployable outside their chosen professions. Or even within. The proposal of Pres. Benigno Aquino III to increase the grades to twelve years is more in tune with the times. Today, when the growth of knowledge is rapid and varied, old time educational standards become also rapidly obsolete. The international quality of education means Philippine professionals must adapt to wider requirements. With the proliferation of professions and multiplication of electives for a broader education, colleges will have to give way to universities one day. If two or three years must be added to the school years, it is for the good of the aspiring professionals.
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