DepEd to verify students’ deficiency in knowing Mabini, other heroes

The Department of Education will check with curriculum supervisors and teachers whether Filipino students in general now lack basic knowledge as regards the country's heroes, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said on Thursday.

Coloma said Education Secretary Brother Armin Luistro has also assured the public that the lives of Filipino heroes like Apolinario Mabini are adequately taught in the country's schools.

Coloma made the remarks days after President Benigno Aquino III expressed dismay over reports that some students asked why Mabini, as portrayed by actor Epy Quizon, was always seated in his scenes in the movie "Heneral Luna."

Quizon also expressed his disappointment over the questions posed by some netizens regarding Mabini's lack of mobility.

Mabini, an adviser to then President Emilio Aguinaldo, is known in history as the Sublime Paralytic. Polio caused him to be paralyzed in both legs in 1896.

Coloma said Luistro has informed Aquino that the lives of Filipino heroes are taught in the Philippine history classes of grade school students.

He said Luistro also defended the curriculum of Grade 4 to 6 students under the K-12 system, saying the comments of some students do not necessarily reflect the level of awareness of the majority.

“I believe the comments that Mr. Quizon received from three students are not reflective of the students’ level of awareness of our heroes,” Luistro was quoted as saying.

“In any case, I committed to discuss this concern with the curriculum supervisors and validate if majority of students have similar deficiencies and ensure we just do not simply dismiss the issue without a fair assessment of the real situation,” he added.

Aquino recently expressed dismay over the supposed lack of proficiency in Philippine history in a speech on the occasion of the 2015 Apolinario Mabini Awards.

“Ang komento pa raw ng ilang netizens, baka pagod lang daw noong mga panahong iyon si Mabini. Talagang napailing po tayo noong ikinuwento sa amin ito,” Aquino said. —NB, GMA News