Towards a nationalist agenda of education: Securing Philippine human capital

• Main Author: Dabuet, Easter Joy T.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2015
• Subjects: Human capital—Philippines; Manpower policy—Philippines; Sustainable development—Philippines; Sustainability —Philippines; Nationalism—Philippines; Education Policy; Environmental Studies; Labor Economics
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/4947
• Institution: De La Salle University

If we want sustainable future for the Philippines, there is a need to focus on prudent use of natural resources and secure human resources. This paper discusses the importance of a nationalist agenda of education in this globalized world to achieve sustainable development for the Philippines giving importance to an educated human capital. Human capital in this paper is understood as Filipinos who are not just economic assets but social catalysts of sustainable development who are well-informed and educated. Admittedly, education is just one contributing aspect for development which in itself includes many dynamics but is undoubtedly very important in instilling values, knowledge and skills development. The first part of the paper draws on the failure of dependency and modernization theories in the Philippine development experience. The second part uses Max Weber’s social theory in identifying the importance of the cultivation of culture in nation building. The third part focuses on the role of education in developing nationalism and briefly explores different challenges related to Philippine education. The concluding part puts emphasis on the importance of a nationalist agenda of education where the citizens are not just trained to become workers of multinational corporations or other countries in a capitalist driven economy. The idea is if nationalism is ingrained in the hearts and minds of the Filipinos, they will be more conscious of the country’s natural resources, compassionate towards their fellowmen, and ultimately become proactive citizens who simply care about the welfare of the Philippines.