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GMRC and ROTC Curriculum Changes

A bill has been proposed to reintroduce Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) classes into elementary and high school curriculums. The bill has passed both legislative houses and awaits the president's signature. GMRC would teach students respect, diversity, gender equity, law, nationalism and other values. However, some argue the existing Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao subject already teaches these values and instilling values should not be limited to schools. Separately, there is a proposal to reinstate mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) for grades 11-12, which was previously abolished due to hazing deaths. The goal is to increase military reservists after events like

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
163 views1 page

GMRC and ROTC Curriculum Changes

A bill has been proposed to reintroduce Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) classes into elementary and high school curriculums. The bill has passed both legislative houses and awaits the president's signature. GMRC would teach students respect, diversity, gender equity, law, nationalism and other values. However, some argue the existing Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao subject already teaches these values and instilling values should not be limited to schools. Separately, there is a proposal to reinstate mandatory Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) for grades 11-12, which was previously abolished due to hazing deaths. The goal is to increase military reservists after events like

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Kez
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GMRC

A senator and a congressman recently both filed a bill to bring back GMRC to the elementary and high school
curriculum. The Congress has endorsed the bicameral version of the bill requiring students from kindergarten
to high school to take classes on good manners and values education. The Good Manners and Right Conduct
(GMRC) will be offered to the elementary level and Values Education will be taken in Grades 7 to 12, to replace
the existing Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao subject in the basic education curriculum. The bill is now up for
President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature to become a law.

The subject also aims to teach students respect for intercultural diversity, gender equity, peace and justice,
obedience to law, nationalism, and others.

As for me, there is no need to bring back GMRC and Values education subjects to the curriculum because ESP
itself is enough to develop the values of our school children. The lessons and activities in this subject are
suitable to the DepEd’s Goal which are Maka-Diyos, Makatao, Makakalikasan at Makabansa. Let us not forget
that while schools have the obligation to educate the youth on the best values of society, but instilling the
right values is also the job of all of society.

ROTC
The Reserved Officers Training Corps or ROTC was abolished wayback in 2002 because of several cases of
hazing abuse which led to the death of several victims which are mostly college students. Since then, the
government made optional the ROTC for college students.
College students are instead required to choose among three NSTP components: the ROTC, the Civic Welfare
Training Service (CWTS), and the Literacy Training Service (LTS).
But nowadays, there was a call from the President to bring it back to the curriculum. A bill that would make
the ROTC program mandatory for Grades 11 and 12 was submitted in the congress which was House Bill 8961.
The bill states that the conduct of military training under ROTC shall apply to all students in Grades 11 and 12
in all senior high schools in public and private educational institutions.
This means the military training would be required for both male and female students.

The goal behind the proposed two-year mandatory ROTC is producing well-trained and prepared reservists for
military and civic service. There was a need to do this after a series of threats from terrorist groups like what
happened in the ridiculous attack in Marawi City in Mindanao. With the additional number of military
reservists rendered during the war in Marawi, government soldiers succeeded to defeat the terrorists.

The president expressed emphasis on putting the kind of men that will lead the program. In no way should the
ROTC be used for political gains and as a mechanism for hazing and abuse.

Common questions

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The argument for the sufficiency of the existing Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (ESP) is grounded in its alignment with DepEd's goals, which encompass spirituality, humanity, environmental responsibility, and nationalism. Proponents argue that the ESP curriculum already develops the necessary societal values comprehensively. However, opponents suggest that GMRC and Values Education offer a more structured, specific approach to instilling good manners and right conduct, addressing potential gaps in ESP .

A holistic approach to implementing ROTC and Values Education includes integrating community involvement and familial participation to reinforce curriculum teachings. Schools can partner with local civic organizations and leaders for practical civic activities and ROTC exercises, ensuring students apply classroom learnings in real-world contexts. Additionally, parent-teacher seminars can help align educational goals with home environments. Placing a strong focus on mentorship and guidance can also aid in better instilling discipline and ethics .

Reintroducing the ROTC program could lead to increased preparedness and military readiness among the youth, potentially contributing to national security through a reserve force. However, it may also raise concerns about militarization in education and the potential for abuse, as previous histories of hazing led to its abolition. Additionally, the program's success depends heavily on the quality and intent of leadership to avoid political misuse and ensure respect and discipline are instilled positively .

The government proposes to address the challenges faced during the previous ROTC program by ensuring that the kind of men leading the program are chosen carefully to prevent the recurrence of past abuses such as hazing. There is an emphasis on leadership accountability and preventing the ROTC's use for political gains while focusing on its intended purpose of civic and military readiness .

The proposed education bill aims to cultivate respect for intercultural diversity, gender equity, peace and justice, obedience to law, and nationalism among students. By introducing GMRC at the elementary level and Values Education for Grades 7 to 12, the bill seeks to provide a comprehensive framework for moral and civic education, promoting societal values essential for national development .

The proposed bill filed in Congress aims to reintroduce Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) to the elementary level and Values Education for Grades 7 to 12. This would replace the current Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (ESP) subject in the basic education curriculum. The GMRC focuses on instilling basic good manners, while Values Education is structured to build on these foundations with more complex moral concepts in higher grades .

Ethical concerns surrounding the reintroduction of mandatory ROTC stem from past abuses related to hazing and the potential misuse of military training for political purposes. Ensuring that such training does not become a mechanism for abuse requires strict oversight, transparent regulations, and leadership committed to preventing misconduct. The ethical debate centers on balancing the benefits of military preparedness with the protection of students' rights and safety .

Reintroducing GMRC and Values Education could impact various stakeholders by fostering a more culturally sensitive and nationally cohesive generation, potentially reducing societal issues like discrimination and lawlessness. Families could see a reinforcement of societal norms, while educators might require training and resources to effectively implement the new curriculum. Communities and institutions might experience changes in youth behavior and engagement, reflecting broader societal values .

The call for mandatory military training addresses societal issues such as national security threats and the need for a prepared civilian reserve force, highlighted by events like the Marawi siege. It also touches on societal concerns about the moral and civic responsibility of the youth, aiming to foster a sense of nationalism and discipline amidst perceived security instability .

A bicameral bill is deemed necessary to ensure democratic oversight over significant education reforms, like modifying the existing curriculum for Values Education. The bill's necessity lies in its potential to standardize moral education across schools, ensuring that it addresses contemporary societal values and cultural contexts. However, critics might argue that existing measures suffice, and the introduction of new legislation should directly address identifiable gaps and demonstrate clear improvements over current provisions .

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