The Department of Education said it is unfair for them to be “crucified” following the wrong answers of “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) teen housemates to questions about Philippine history, an official said Wednesday.
The teen housemates’ wrong nickname for Filipino martyr priests GomBurZa went viral on social media recently, calling them “MaJoHa” based on their first names instead of their last names.
It garnered mixed reactions. Some said history teaching should be intensified, young people should be helped to take an interest in learning, and look at the education system and how parents support their children in learning.
According to Education Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio, the youth may have been taught GomBurZa and the country’s history, but they just forgot about it.
It should also be seen that learning is not just the responsibility of DepEd and teachers.
“Mali ‘yong sagot at dapat paigtingin talaga ang pagtuturo ng napakamahahalagang mga bagay-bagay na may kinalaman sa ating pagiging mga Pilipino at importante iyong kasaysayan. Pero kung ipapako naman sa krus ang DepEd sa mga ganoong sagot ng mga sumasali sa mga ganyang palabas ay parang unfair naman,” said San Antonio.
According to Teachers’ Dignity Coalition Chairperson Benjo Basas, DepEd should restore the existence of a dedicated subject for Philippine history in high school, which was abolished in 2014.
“Thanks to that episode of ‘PBB’ kasi na-highlight, napag-uusapan ito. At baka naman by this revelation, maisip na uli ng DepEd na ibalik na ito,” said Basas.
DepEd comments on #Majoha issue of PBB
Today, Philippine history is only taught until Grade 6 as a dedicated subject, Basas explained.
But according to San Antonio, Philippine history is still discussed in high school.
According to San Antonio, DepEd’s ongoing curriculum review of K-12 focuses on young people’s foundation reading skills and mathematical and socio-emotional skills.
He also said that delivering quality education in the country is a work in progress.
On the other hand, historian Xiao Chua reminded the public to slow down in judging young people.
“You don’t expect naman na alam ng lahat ang detalye ng kasaysayan. I don’t,” said Chua.
“Siguro ang iba disappointed not necessarily sa lack of knowledge ng history kundi doon sa tinatawag na lack of intellectual curiosity. Ibig sabihin, tagal mo nang nabuhay, hindi mo pa alam iyong ibang bagay tungkol sa paligid mo. Kasi ‘di ba lagi naman nababanggit iyong GomBurZa. May mga Gomburza Street,” he added.
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