PAGBABAGO

A few months ago, the House of Representatives initiated another move to introduce changes in the 1987 Constitution through a Constitutional Convention. This was sent to the Senate. But the President noted that this was not his priority. During the past three decades after the ratification of the 1987 Constitution, we had been witnessing several initiatives to amend or change our existing charter. But all the attempts had failed. Every survey had shown that charter change is not a priority. In fact, the latest survey indicated that 64 percent does not want any amendment or revision of our Constitution. This, even if 70 percent had little or no knowledge about the Constitution, according to a 2014 Pulse Asia survey. In a survey also by Pulse Asia in April 2023, there was a little improvement with 44 percent indicating that they have little knowledge or no knowledge about the charter. Around 19 percent said they knew enough while two percent said they had deep knowledge about the Constitution. Thus, despite these dismal findings, the 1987 Constitution is still very much alive. In fact, besides being the longest charter, it is also older than that of most countries whose median age is only 27. In an assessment of performance of the 1987 Constitution in 2020, former UP dean of political science Dr. Maria Ela Atienza and her research team noted that the goals set up by various government departments in response to the various constitutional provisions have not yet been achieved. There is still a lack of “substantial” compliance in terms of setting up mandated institutions. The above observations can be applied to provisions in several sectors including education. While the Department of Education has implemented provisions like nonformal and alternative learning, it still has to fully satisfy the requirements of Section 3 (1) in Article XIV of our 1987 Constitution which states that “all educational institutions shall include the study of the Constitution as part of the curricula.” Its implementation leaves much to be desired as to date the Department of Education has embedded the study of the Constitution but only by incorporating lessons in the K to 12 curricula as early as Grade 6. By Grade 10, learners have an allotted eight weeks to discuss topics on good governance, active citizenship, and participative governance. Grade 12 students who had chosen the humanities strand are given a specific subject that focuses on politics and governance. R.A. 10553, the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 which was introduced by Rep. Lorenz Defensor and Rep. Michael Gorriceta was enacted to enable basic education graduates to gain mastery of core competencies. But the study of the Constitution was not included in the basic education program. H.B. 5522 is aimed at inculcating a sense of nationalism and understanding of the principle of freedom and liberty as well as to promote social justice and accountability was enacted to include it as a subject in the K to 12 curriculum. House Bill 808 filed by Rep. Resurreccion Acop, the Constitution Education Act of 2019 sought to integrate it in the Grade 12 senior high school curricula. Perhaps EDCOM 2 should examine the Enhanced Basic Education Act House Bill 5522 which would integrate the study of the Constitution in the basic education program, inculcate nationalism and freedom, social justice and accountability which are essential in strengthening democracy, as well as the integration of the study of the Constitution in the Grade 12 senior high school curricula. As well as to recommend how the study of the charter can be introduced as early as a Grade 1. With new educational technologies, we can make the study of our highest law of the land an interesting learning experience. Thus, instead of trying to amend or change the Constitution, let us focus on ensuring that we raise the level of understanding and appreciation of the Constitution. ([[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]))