Education plays a crucial role in nearly every part of the world, and while each country has its own education system, many share similar concepts and qualifications. The education system in the Philippines, however, stands out due to the combination of influences from its colonial past.
Throughout history, the Philippines has been shaped by the educational practices of Malaysia, China, Spain, and the United States. Today, the country’s schooling system is primarily based on American educational traditions. To help you better understand how it works, we’ve provided a detailed guide below.
Understanding the Philippine education system
The Philippine education system mandates a thirteen-year schooling period, known as the K-12 program, which spans from kindergarten to grade 12. After completing these thirteen years, students can choose to pursue higher education or not.
Three government agencies oversee different education levels in the Philippines:
1. The Department of Education (DepEd) sets standards and administers standardized tests for public schools throughout the K-12 program. Private schools, on the other hand, have more flexibility in developing their curricula, as long as they comply with DepEd’s regulations.
2. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) governs higher education institutions, such as colleges and universities.
3. The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) oversees Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs.
The primary languages of instruction in the Philippines are English and Filipino. Given the country’s diverse linguistic landscape, with over 100 languages spoken across its more than 7,000 islands, local languages are used in primary schools to assist younger students. In urban areas, English is predominantly used for instruction after primary school.
The academic year in the Philippines generally starts in June and ends in March or April.
Philippine education structure
The education system in the Philippines was historically one of the shortest in the world, with only 10 years of formal education—6 years of primary school and 4 years of high school. However, in 2012, the government passed a law mandating that students attend school from kindergarten (around age 5) through grade 12 (around age 18). This change extended the education cycle by two years, making the Philippine system more aligned with the American K-12 model.
The K-12 structure in the Philippines is divided into three levels:
1. Primary School (Primary Education) – Kindergarten to Grade 6
2. Junior High School (Lower Secondary Education) – Grades 7 to 10
3. Senior High School (Upper Secondary Education) – Grades 11 to 12
After completing senior high school, students can choose to pursue higher education, which includes options such as a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, Doctor of Medicine, Juris Doctor, or a PhD.
Primary Education
In the Philippines, primary school typically lasts six years and is divided into two cycles:
✔️Primary Cycle (4 years): Grades 1 to 4
✔️Intermediate Cycle (2 years): Grades 5 to 6
This structure is mandatory in public schools. However, private schools often offer a seven-year curriculum, with children starting school a year earlier.
At the end of each school year, students’ cumulative grades are assessed. To advance to the next grade, students must achieve at least a 75% grade average.
Upon completing six years of primary school, students graduate and receive a diploma, which allows them to proceed to secondary education.
Secondary Education
In the Philippines, secondary education is commonly referred to as high school and is divided into two levels:
1. Lower Secondary Education (Junior High School): Grades 7 to 10
2. Upper Secondary Education (Senior High School): Grades 11 to 12
Junior High School in the Philippines has different types:
✔️ General Secondary School: This is based on the American curriculum and covers four levels.
✔️ Vocational Secondary School: A technical and vocational education program provided by both government and private institutions.
✔️ Science Secondary Schools: Specialized public high schools that focus on research, designed for students who excel in mathematics and science.
The Philippine education system was recently updated to include an additional two years, now known as Senior High School. Senior High School is now mandatory, and its curriculum is divided into:
✔️ Core Curriculum Subjects: Comprising 15 core courses across 8 learning areas.
✔️ Track Subjects: These are further categorized into Applied Subjects (7 subjects) and Specialization Subjects (9 subjects).
By completing Senior High School, students are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills for higher education or employment.
Higher Education
In the Philippines, after completing the mandatory K-12 program, students have the option to pursue higher education. The country is home to over 2,000 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), with more than 3 million students enrolled as of the 2019-2020 school year.
HEIs in the Philippines are classified into different categories:
College or University
✔️ Colleges generally offer specialized courses, such as Hotel and Restaurant Management, Nursing, or Information Technology. Universities, on the other hand, must meet rigorous requirements, including offering at least six undergraduate programs (such as a 4-year liberal arts course, a 4-year science and mathematics course, a 4-year social sciences course, and at least three programs leading to government licensure) and two graduate-level courses leading to a PhD.
Public or Private
✔️ Public HEIs are non-sectarian institutions funded by the government. Private HEIs can be sectarian or non-sectarian, non-profit or for-profit, and are privately managed and funded.
Secular or Religious
✔️ Some universities are affiliated with religious groups, while others are secular institutions.
Higher education in the Philippines is divided into three phases:
1. Undergraduate (Bachelor’s Degree)
2. Postgraduate (Master’s Degree)
3. Doctoral (PhD)
Cost of education
In the Philippines, public schools and universities are often free or charge minimal fees. However, many Filipino families and expatriates opt to send their children to private schools for better educational quality.
Private schools generally offer a more personalized learning experience compared to public schools. The teacher-student ratio in private schools is typically around 1:40 at most, allowing teachers to give more attention to each student. Additionally, private schools provide a broader curriculum and use independent resources, setting them apart from public institutions.
Due to these advantages, tuition fees at private schools in the Philippines can be quite high. Below is an overview of the average annual tuition fees for each education level:
✔️ Primary school: ₱70,000 to ₱200,000
✔️ High school: ₱100,000 to ₱250,000
✔️ Higher education: ₱110,000+
Educational support in the Philippines
Parents and guardians often only want what’s best for their beloved children. Regardless of the cost, sending their kids and relatives to a great school is just one of the many goals Filipinos aspire to accomplish. This is also true for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and residents.
Paying for tuition fees is already a big responsibility enough as it is. If you’re an overseas Filipino and send family and relatives to school in the Philippines, find the best money transfer provider that helps you get the most value out of every transfer with maximum safety.