I.

Despite the numerous works written by Rizal, he consistently emphasize the importance of
education in his works. While historians are torn between Rizal's stance on revolution and
reform, historians do agree that the education of the Filipino people was his top priority from
the moment he participated in the Propaganda Movement in Spain, his short stay in Dapitan,
until his last day in Fort Santiago. This lesson aims to encourage students to allow this fateteps
and prioritize education as a key to becoming a productive citizen of the Philippines.
II.

Rizal's Education:
Jose Rizal's first teacher was his mother, who had taught him to read and pray and who had
encouraged him to write poetry. Later, private tutor, (Maestro Celestino, Lucas Padua, Leon
Monroy) taught the young Rizal Spanish and Latin, before he was sent to private school in
Calamba and Binan.

When he was 11 years old, Rizal entered the Ateneo Municipal de Manila. He earned excellent
marks in subjects like philosophy, physics, chemistry, and natural history. At this school, he read
novels; wrote prize-winning poetry (and even a melodrama) and practiced arts (drawing,
painting, and clay modelling).

Rizal eventually earned a land surveyor's and assessor's degree from the Ateneo Municipal
while taking up Philosophy and Letters at the University of Santo Tomas Upon learning that his
mother was going blind, Rizal opted to study ophthalmology at the UST Faculty of Medicine and
Surgery (he was not able to complete). Without the knowledge of his parents, Rizal traveled to
Europe. "In order to obtain a better education, had had to leave his country stealthily like a
fugitive from justice, and his family, to save themselves from persecution, were compelled to
profess ignorance of his plans and movements. His name was entered in Santo Tomas at the
opening of the new term, with the fees paid, and Paciano had gone to Manila pretending to be
looking for this brother whom he had assisted out of the country (Austin Craig). Rizal earned a
Licentiate in Medicine at the Universidad Central de Madrid, where he also took courses in
philosophy and literature. It was in Madrid that he conceived of writing Noli Me Tangere. He
also attended the University of Paris and, in 1887, completed his eye specialization course at
the University of Heidelberg. It was also in that year that Rizal's first novel was published (in
Berlin)
Education in Rizal's Works

Educating the Filipinos is a common theme in most of Rizal's political writings. In Noli Me
Tangere, the main character Crisostomo Ibarra to build a school for his countrymen. As the
story continued to the second novel, El Filibusterismo, Crisostomo Ibarra, who was seeking for
revenge through his new identity Simoun, now had a more pro active view on education,
stating that simple education was not enough.
In Chapter 7, Simoun was unmasked by Basilio and they had a debate regarding the "Youth Role
in Easying the Suffering of the Country." For Basilio, being a physician who cured physical illness
was already enough. Simoun, however, emphasized the importance of curing not only the
physical illness but also the social illnesses experienced by the country Rizal, through Simoun,
wanted students and professionals who are active in their chosen field to be also involved in
conversation regarding the status of the nation and in trying to address societal issues. Without
basically wanted an educated and activity citizenry.

When he returned in 1892 to establish the La Liga Filipina, one of the objectives of the
organization was to encourage instruction (teaching), agriculture, and commerce. Even in the
marginalized status of women, Rizal viewed education as primary tool for their empowerment
in a male-dominated colonial society. When Rizal was in Dapitan, he dedicated his time to the
community for the education of the children by building a school in the area and acting as their
teacher. He also continuously emphasized to his sisters the value of educating oneself by
reading and grabbing every opportunity to learn. As an uncle, he also tried to inculcate the
values to his nephews and nieces by translating Hans Christian Andersen's tales from German
to cultivate their interest in reading.

Education as Revolution

Rizal also viewed education as a means to an end. In Memorias de un Estudiante de Manila, he

used the fire to symbolize education. It was illuminating but the path towards it was dangerous
and may eventually result to death. Looking back at Rizal's time, this representation of
education was understandable since during the 1860's and the 1870's. Most Filipinos
demanding for reform were educated elite as well as native secular priests such as Padre Jose
Burgos. The repressive colonial regime tagged students as destabilizers and there was massive
crack down among intellectuals as well as their families especially after the Cavite Mutiny of
1872. In El Filibusterismo, Rizal continued the symbolism of education as fire. Simoun's planned
revolution was supposed to be ignited by an explosion of a custom-built lamp bomb. The
inventor of the bomb was a former teacher It was Isagani, a youth, who prevented the
explosion and Simoun eventually failed in the end. Padre Florentino, in his last conversation
with Simoun, stated that a revolution must be made for a greater cause.

Finally, Rizal reviewed education as something revolutionary, not in a subversive and violent
sense, but in freeing the mind from the darkness and bonds of ignorance, free mind however
must be aware of the different issues of his or her society. He or she must be actively engage in
trying to choose society for the better.
III.
Rizal’s first teacher was his mother. She was the one who saw potential in him and did
everything to develop that potential. Although Rizal was naturally gifted with intelligence, he
still had some tutors to teach him and expand his knowledge. Knowing this made me realize
that even the brightest mind needs perseverance in order to be successful. Rizal is a great
example for the youth. His love for learning is beyond what we imagined. Rizal shows us that
knowing is not enough. Learning is a never ending process. We should strive hard in order for
us to know more. Along with his love for learning is the love he received from his family. His
mother never ceased to support him. His uncles, too, did everything to teach him. When the
time came for Rizal to go to school, he was ready. I was shocked to know that like any other
young boys, Rizal also experienced fighting with his peers. I’ve always thought that he is shy and
all that, but he sure knows how to defend himself.
Rizal is not just good in academics, but also in extra-curricular activities. He joined many
organizations and societies. We all know that Rizal was really a shy boy. But despite that, he still
managed to join organizations. Through this, he is a good reminder for those students who are
afraid to mingle with others. If Rizal can do it, then so can we. Rizal also wrote many poems. I
realized how deep his love for his mother is. He was saddened by the injustice done to his
mother. But when his mother was released, he wrote a poem to express his happiness. Like
Rizal, we should also value our parents. Many teenagers nowadays don’t know how to
appreciate what their parents have done for them. We should all be like Rizal. We should never
forget that it was our parents that took care of us when we were young and even until now.
Now that we’ve grown, it is our responsibility to give back the favor and take care of them.
Even though we have trouble saying that we love them, at least we can show it to them in our
simple ways.

I realized two things. First, education is the only thing that will never be taken away from us.
True education is both enhancing our mind and attitude. The second thing I learned is to love
our parents. No matter what happens, it will always be our parents that will have our back. I
hope that others will also have the same realizations I have.

Rizal’s philosophy of education centers on the provision of proper motivation in order to

strengthen the great social farces that make education a success, to create in the youth an
innate desire to cultivate his intelligence and give him life eternal.

References:
The book| A Course Module for The Life, Works, And Writings of Jose Rizal
EduZaurus.com