M A N U S C R I P T

In tertiary education, there are already many minor subjects that are included in the curriculum that may be deemed irrelevant. For one, Humanities should not be taught to a student studying Information Technology, Engineering or Accounting but we cannot deny the relevance of the subject when the student is studying the arts. Likewise, Biology should no longer be required for a student studying IT, Engineering or Accounting but it is essential if the student is studying the physical sciences.

These and other irrelevant subjects have already been taught in secondary school thus it should no longer be taught in tertiary education. There are already too many subjects in tertiary education curriculum that should not be there at all and now, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) is formulating a memorandum to again include  Spanish language in the curriculum. Once in effect, all college students would be required to take the subject in order to graduate.

I do not see the relevance of making the subject a mandatory requirement since it was already removed from the curriculum during the term of the late President Corazon Aquino. Not only is it an additional burden to the students, it could also be a problem for some colleges.

Not to sound bitter, but we do not have to embrace the  language of the race that colonized our country for more than 300 years. It is time that we forget the Spanish colonization. I do not know what President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was thinking when she signed that directive for the CHEd to require all colleges to again offer Spanish.

The government should have just pursued efforts to again heighten the English competency of Filipinos. English is by far the language of trade, science and technology. Almost every country in the world speaks English and with good communication skills we can build better relations with other countries and this we can use to our benefit.

I’ve heard that the “growing demand from the business process outsourcing sector for Spanish-speaking call center agents” was the reason the Administration wanted Spanish back in the college curriculum. That is just ridiculous. You cannot deny the fact that call center agents are greatly in demand but students are studying to be professionals. Not everyone wants to be call center agents.

If Spanish-speaking call center agents are what  the government  wants, it can hold  short-courses in Spanish for aspiring call center agents.

Another thing, the Philippines would not prosper if we continue to focus on providing the needs of other countries instead of focusing on what our country needs. The only reason why call centers keep popping like mushrooms is because manpower is cheap in the Philippines. Ain’t that degrading.

During her state visit in Madrid, Spain, Arroyo even noted that “the Philippines has the deepest European roots” in Asia because of the Spanish colonization. This is not something to be proud of. It is just like again succumbing to Spanish rule.

Let us not give students another burden by forcing them to learn Spanish. Learning another language may have its benefits but it does not apply to all.