Character-Based Education

Background on the Character Education in Philippines Educational System

When the Philippines’ Educational System was established on January 21, 1901, Character Education was one of the original subjects in the curriculum.  Then it became Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education (VE) in high school.  Since 1901, efforts have been made and new approaches tried to strengthen the teaching of GMRC or Character Education (CE).  In the 2002 Basic Education Curriculum, GMRC and CE were no longer included as learning areas but were integrated in all learning areas.  In 2005, it was again returned as a separate subject in the elementary and high school as recommended by the President. In spite of the concerted efforts of schools to develop the character of the learners, there is evident decline in morality, honesty, discipline, respect, civility and responsibility in our midst – in the family, in society, in government, even in schools.  Thus, the observation that conventional education is incomplete when it comes to nurturing the character and personality of the students is true.

Background on the Partnership and Implementation of the Character-Based Education Program

Department of Education (DepEd) Region 3 was chosen to pilot the use of Character Education modules and Service Learning in its 17 school divisions.  For orientation on the project, 383 participants composed of regional supervisors, division supervisors, principals and department heads were authorized to attend the International Professors’ and Educator’s Conference at the Manila Hotel and Universidad de Manila on August 12-14, 2006 during the celebration of the UN International Youth Day 2006.  These participants were required to submit Action Plan on the try-out of the two (2) modules for students and 2 modules for the teachers which were given to all participants.

The Regional Office in Region 3, through the initiative of the two Regional Coordinators, one for elementary and one for the secondary, per instruction of the Regional Director, Dr. Dinah F. Mino, had a Feedbacking Conference with all the 17 Division Coordinators who are either Values Education Supervisor or Guidance Supervisor on Aug. 29, 2006 at the Regional Conference Hall through Regional Memo No. 103, S.2006.  The Division Coordinators submitted the names of the pilot schools and the try-out teachers who will use the modules given during the IPEC 2006 and to try the ideas discussed by Dr. Tony Devine, Dr. Charles Phillips and Dr. Tom Wards.

It was during the 3rd International Assembly of the in Seoul, Korea last Sept. 10-14, 2006 that Dr. Dinah F. Mindo (then Regional Director of DepEd Region 3) that she was given a complete set of Discovering the Real Me textbook series from Grade 1 to 6 and 1st year to 4th year High School.  When she went back to the Philippines, an orientation-conference on Character-Based Education ad Service Learning was organized in the Conference Hall of DepEd Region 3 on Nov. 17, 2006 through Regional Memo No. 118, S.2006.  It was during this conference that the initial copies of the printed textbooks were distributed to the Division Coordinator (17 of them) to be given to the try-out teachers in the pilot schools using the Department’s resources.

The Divisions covered under DepED Region 3:

1. Aurora – 29 high schools

2.Bataan – 30

3.Bulacan – 75

4.Nueva Ecija – 102

5.Pampanga – 102

6.Tarlac – 64

7.Zambales – 52

8.Angeles – 9

9.Cabanatuan City – 7

10.Olongapo City – 12

11.San Jose Del Monte City – 10

12.San Fernando City – 11

13.Gapan City – 8

14.Tarlac City – 8

15.Munoz Science City – 2

16.Balanga City – 2

  1. 17.Malolos City – 4


When Dr. Dinah F. Mindo retired from the Department of Education as Regional Director of Region 3, Dr. Mario Ramirez then also continued and supported the sustainability of the Character-Based Education and Service Learning Program to the piloted schools.  Last year during International Professors and Educators Conference (IPEC), we recognized schools and divisions that are able to sustain the program in their respective areas.

The following awardees are:

Division-Based Recognition Award for the Character-Based Education Implementation and Sustainability 2012:


1st – Division of Nueva Ecija (Carmencita Gatmaitan)

2nd – Division of Pampanga (Lourdes Romero)

3rd – Division of San Jose Del Monte (Jennifer Quinto)

4th – Division of Angeles City (Ma. Celina Vega)

5th – Division of Tarlac City (Leonida Garcia)


School-Based Recognition Award for the Character-Based Education Implementation and Sustainability 2012:


Best School for CBE-SL Implementation and Sustainability 2012 – Zambales National High School (Dr. Edgar S. Serrano)

1st Runner up – Maria Aurora National High School (Mr. Ceferino M. Benitez)

2nd Runner up – San Roque Dau National High School (Ms. Yolanda T. Gabriel)

3rd Runner up – Paradise Farm National High School (Ms. Ann Liza R. Lepasana)

4th Runner up – Nueva Ecija National High School (Olongapo National High School

(Ms. Feligena F. Bugay)

5th Runner up -Constancio Padilla National High School (Lordennis T. Leonardo)

FG Nepomuceno National High School (Mr. Edgar S. Nunag)


School-Based Participation Award for the Character-Based Education Implementation and Sustainability 2012:


1.Bataan National HS

2.Tarlac National HS

3.San Pablo 2nd NHS

4.Juan R. Liwag Memorial HS

5.Calabuanan NHS

6.Munoz NHS

7.Chico Rey NHS

8.Maliwalo NHS Annex

9.Miguel Central School

10.Basa Air Base HS

11.San Rafael (BBH) Elem. School

12.Magalang Elem. School


Presently, Dr. Isabelita Borres (the incumbent Regional Director of DepED Region 3) announced last December 28, 2012 that since we already piloted the program to 17 elementary and 17 high schools, a total of 34 pilot schools, it is now time to fully implement the program to all schools in Region 3 or Central Luzon.

Hence, for the upcoming Global Peace Leadership Conference at Manila Hotel and the Global Peace Festival 2013 Philippines at Smart Araneta Coliseum we would like to highlight the Character-Based Education and Service Learning Program of the Region 3. 

Home  |  About Us  |  Our Work  |  News & Media  |  Get Involved  |  Donate  |  Contact Us