What is RA 1425? (a.k.a RIZAL LAW)

The Republic Act of 1425, also known as the Rizal Law, is an act to include in the curricula of all public and private schools, colleges and universities courses on the life, works and writings of Rizal, authorizing the printing and distribution thereof, and for other purposes. In this reaction paper, I will discuss the relevance, present issues related to and addressed to the said law. 

If we are to talk about the relevance of Rizal Law, I would have to say that even today, it is quite relevant in our present time. The RA 1425 encourages the Filipino youth to embrace patriotism and nationalism. The Rizal Law mandates all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation by the State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience and to teach the duties of citizenship, and that is according to its provisions. 

Although, when the said law was a proposed bill, controversies rose and there were heated reactions from the religious sector. Until now, there are debates on how relevant the Rizal law to their course, to the tertiary students, as Filipinos, and to the country. To those people who are still criticizing the proposed law and arguing that it is not relevant in today’s modern world, our present issues were dominated by the religious sector, and I have to say that the works of Rizal were a key instigator of the Philippine Revolution. There were also senators who were against and opposed the said law, but looking and observing the present times, the religious sector is still heated about this argument. As the novels of Rizal features the religious sector as the antagonist of the story and that is why up until today the church claims that reading the novels of Rizal would violate the religion. To be honest, about the statement that was given, I do not think that just reading the novels of Rizal would violate the religious sector. This will always depend on the reader to how they interpret it and to how they will act on it based on what they have absorbed and understand. Due to this heated controversy, the Church became more present and more involved in politics. 

About the Patriotism and Nationalism that can be instilled to the Filipino youth, the said law would help the youth to understand the importance of our history and all the lessons learned. The generation today, most of us, do not know our national hero and his background. I can say that the Rizal Law is relevant in the present time and in our generation. We must have knowledge in order to pass it down to the next generation as the law acts as a bridge to connect the youth to patriotism and nationalism. It is also observed that Rizal Law increased the sense of nationalism and patriotism of the country and fellow countrymen. However, the RA 1425 has its pros and cons, but some may see it as effective and some may say it is ineffective. Still, this will depend on how the course will be delivered by the teacher and to how they can call the attention of the students to focus and captivate the hearts of the Filipino youth. This may sound very common but because of this course, I was able to commemorate and appreciate our national heroes because they are the reason why we have freedom today.