Human Rights Online Philippines

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) welcomes the idea of using ‘Sablay’ instead of ‘Toga’ as a ceremonial dress for the end of the school year rites, moving-up or graduation ceremonies in basic education. The TDC agrees “that ‘Sablay’ is more representative of the Filipino culture and could boost the DepEd’s mandate to instill patriotism among the young people.”

Last week, the DepEd thru one of its undersecretaries, Alain Del B. Pascua released an Aide Memoire dated February 18, 2020, containing his proposal to officially use Sablay instead of Toga. Sablay, even before the proposal is being used in some elementary and secondary public schools in the country and a popular graduation attire among colleges and universities- the most prominent of which is the University of The Philippines (UP) system where Sablay is worn in graduation ceremonies and synonymous with victory.

While the group supports the proposal, it reiterated that there is one move from the DepEd that will surely help promote patriotism. The TDC said that “the single most important task for the DepEd is to strengthen the teaching of subjects that promote Philippine culture, history, heritage, languages and literature and not limit itself on the use of Sablay, which in the said Aide Memoire is equivalent to patriotism.” The group again asked the DepEd leadership to review the K-12 curriculum and re-include the teaching of Philippine History in all levels of learning- especially in high school.

Benjo Basas, the group’s chairperson said, “It is worthy to note that while the DepEd intends to promote nationalism through the use of Sablay, Filipino children enrolled in secondary schools do not have a subject in Philippine History. If the DepEd leadership is really concerned about teaching patriotism, loyalty to the nation and promotion of indigenous heritage, it should immediately require the teaching of Philippine History both in Junior and Senior High School.”

Reference:

Benjo Basas, National Chairperson
0927-3356375

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