Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has filed a bill seeking to include the 1987 Philippine constitution in the curriculum of Junior High Schools (JHS) and Senior High Schools (SHS) in all public and private educational institutions.
In the explanatory note of the Senate Bill No. 1443 or Mandatory Constitutional Education Act, Estrada said teaching the PH institution will instill a “nationalist mindset” in Filipino learners who will “contribute to a strong Philippine economy, grounded in their commitment to the nation.”
The Senator stressed the importance of learning the "fundamentals of nationalism and patriotism" along with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
In the proposed measure, he stated that the Department of Education (DepEd) together with concerned government agencies and academic experts on the Constitution is mandated to develop the Constitutional Education Course.
"The course shall be developed in accordance with the standards and principles in developing the enhanced basic education curriculum stated in Republic Act No. 10533 or the "Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013"," the measure reads.
The said course shall cover the following topics:
- History and Overview of the 1987 Constitution
- Nationalism and Sovereignty
- State Principles and Policies
- The National Territory
- Government Branches, Institutions, and Processes
- Rights and Duties of Citizens
- National Economy and Patrimony
- Citizenship and Suffrage
- Democratic Values, Social Justice, and Human Rights
- Active Citizenship and People's Participation in Governance
- Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports
- Current Issues
The DepEd, government agencies, and academic experts are tasked to conduct the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) within 90 days from the Act's effectivity.
