THE TEACHERS’ Dignity Coalition called on the Department of Education to reinstate Philippine History in the high school curriculum.

“DepEd’s decision to abolish the teaching of Philippine History was a strong statement that our people’s struggle for freedom, justice and equality is not significant, and need not be remembered let alone learn from. And instead of rectifying this imprudence, the current DepEd administration has chosen to maintain this error,” Benjo Basas, the group’s national chairperson, said.

“Let it be said, over and over again: a grateful nation must not forget its past. This is even more urgent now that the causes of Bonifacio’s revolution — government corruption, abuses, social injustice and exploitation of the weak remain,” Basas added.

Philippine History was taught in first year until it was removed as a dedicated subject in 2014 following the introduction of the K-12 system.

Basas, who teaches Araling Panlipunan, said that his group presented its proposal to Education Secretary Leonor Briones in 2017.

“The Andres Bonifacio lectures, apart from honoring the Filipino hero is our contribution in inculcating patriotism among our youth, as well as our teachers, as mandated in the Philippine Constitution. Bonifacio epitomizes the Filipino nation’s resolve in meeting head-on seemingly insurmountable challenges to their freedom and dignity,” Basas added.

The TDC took the advocacy of strengthening the teaching of Philippine History in all levels of education.

“If we forget about our past, we can forget all about our future,” Basas said.