The rise of Education and Infrastructures in the Philippines (19th Century)

As we all know, Spain colonized the Philippines for the longest time. They colonized the Philippines in the year 1564 and in the 19th century Spain highly invested in education and infrastructures. 


What's good about it?

Queen Isabella II of Spain

• Spain introduced the School system in the Philippines through the Education Decree of December 20, 1863 under Queen Isabella II of Spain. 
• Higher literacy rate

What's bad about it?

• The free school system used Spanish as the language of instruction.
• It was for the elite especially in the early years of Spanish colonization.
• The education system was controlled by the Spaniards. 

With all these, it is good that schools were established however, they used Spanish as the medium language and not Tagalog which is quite unfair for the Filipinos because they are living in their country and they are not practicing their own language which is Tagalog. 




Aside from that there is the opening of Suez Canal, which enabled the rise of illustrados,enlightened class of Filipinos that had been able to expand their studies in Spain and Europe.

Opening of Suez Canal in 1869