DACS PHILO CONVERSATION
CONVERSATION ON PHILOSOPHY CURRICULUM IN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
September 20, 2021
RATIONALE AND BACKGROUND FOR REVIEW OF TEACHING PHILOSOPHY IN SHS
“Christ is the foundation of the whole educational enterprise in a Catholic school. His revelation gives new meaning to life and helps man to direct his thought, action and will according to the Gospel, making the beatitudes his norm of life. The fact that in their own individual ways all members of the school community share this Christian vision, makes the school ‘Catholic’; principles of the Gospel in this manner become the educational norms since the school then has them as its internal motivation and final goal.” (Vatican Council II Vol. 2Malgré les declarations, June 1977, #34)
K12 curriculum of the Department of Education has moved the teaching of philosophy to the Senior High School since 2016. Since then, it was the dilemma of the schools in the basic education to look for qualified teachers.
Like any human science, philosophy has also different branches and focus. Every Catholic school faithful to its identity and mission must safeguard the gospel teachings of Jesus Christ as our mission. There are philosophical ideas that are contrary to the gospel teachings at the same time contradict the theology of the Church.
As DACS community it is our duty to remind our member schools about this situation since today there are many philosophical movements that are creeping in the institutions both Catholics and Non-Sectarians. It is our solemn duty to safeguard the gospel truth and guide the way of thinking of those under our care. Our Catholic Church promotes only the Christian Philosophy for the Catholic faith.
We acknowledge the academic freedom of all schools and we do not mean to dictate or force anyone but simply to remind our school leaders of this reality in the field of philosophy.
Thus, the need to revisit this course in view of our Catholicity and Orthodoxy.
Participants: SHS Philosophy teachers in DACS schools
Objectives:
1.To share issues and concerns of philosophy teachers in Senior High School
2. To review the Philosophy Curriculum prescribed by the Department of Education
3. To explore possible development programs for teachers of Philosophy
4. To encourage dialogue and collaboration among philosophy and religious education teachers
REGISTRATION / SURVEY LINK: https://forms.gle/exhNs3rJof2uiYtW9
