The Perception of Male Grade 10 and 11 Learners of Selected Private Schools in Tarlac

City to The Re-Implementation of Military Reserve Officers' Training Corps;

A Case Study

ANTALAN, Jobert Joshua. R.

ARCIAGA, Dian Russelle. Q.

ASUNCION, Angela Skhy. S.

BAUTISTA, Aprille Ann. G.

DUEÑAS, Beatrice Helene. D.

KAUR, Simranjeet

NAVARRO, Kerstein Gabrielle. V

The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) is an educational program that

combines practical and exceptional leadership training as a military science component of

the National Service Training Program (NSTP). The fundamental objective is to generate

civic awareness and defense preparation among higher education and technical-

vocational students by developing service ethics and nationalism as expressions of love

of people and nation in their cognitive and emotional learning domains. This mandatory

program allegedly being reinstated for senior high school students according to news

sources.

Whether voluntary or mandatory, the feelings are the same: a number of students

see ROTC as a tool of repression utilized by the state, as well as a specialized talent for

which not everyone has the mental, physical, or psychological ability. These said

components that the majority of the population would be eligible for or would not meet

military standards. This program component is intended to provide students with

activities that contribute to the general welfare and betterment of life of community

members, particularly those designed to improve social welfare services. As a result, it

focuses on people's education, improving the education system to empower the nation.

Aside from ROTC, the curriculum also includes Civil Welfare Training Service

(CWTS) and Literacy Training Service (LTS). As per The NSTP Law of 2001, NSTP has

so far been mandatory for all college students. The huge increase in the number of

indecent and disobedient kids appears uncontrolled but with the House Bill 5113 getting

backed by the former president Duterte. This goal is to reintroduce the mandatory Base

Reserve Officers Training Course in Grades 11 and 12. As a result, this necessary
training improves and transforms each and every student to be a role model, a leader, and

a civilian capable of serving its country. 

One of the three elements of the NSTP, the Civic Education and Defense

Readiness Program for college students in the Philippines, is the Reserve Officers

Training Corps (ROTC). In order to educate students for national defense readiness,

ROTC aspires to provide military education and training. Its specific goals include

preparing college students for emergency duty in the Armed Forces of the Philippines

(AFP) and preparing them to join the reservist program and become commissioned

officers.

According to Jepoyo (2017), ROTC was first established and subject to the

University of the Philippines (UP) in 1992, and it became mandatory for all colleges and

institutions in 1935. The ROTC was an established government program before World

War II that prepared young people to prepare for military duty and join the Armed Forces

of the Philippines (AFP) Reserve Force. In the case of a war or tragedy, this reserved

force is expected to fulfill the demands of the army.

By the year 2002, ROTC was put to an end because of the death of a cadet from

the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Mark Welson Chua, whose death is believed to be

connected to his exposé of alleged corruption in ROTC training at UST. (Manila

Bulletin, 2021) But in February 2017, Republic Act 7077 or "The Citizen Armed Forces

of the Philippines Reservist Act” proposed by former Defense Secretary Delfin

Lorenzana, was approved by then President Rodrigo Duterte. It aims to resurrect program

and require the students in grades 11 and 12 to undergo ROTC training. He said that the

new ROTC is not worthy of corruption. President Duterte also said that the mandatory
ROTC program for senior high school could help youth grow their love for their country.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines also assured to implement restrictions to prevent

any troubles.

This study sought to know the perception of the grade 10 to 11 learners of

selected private schools in Tarlac City to the possible implementation of mandatory

ROTC in the Philippines.

The researchers found this topic important due the ongoing commotion of House

Bill No. 4500 by Negros Oriental 3rd District Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. who proposed the

return of ROTC for senior high learners. Due to the fact that the law is still in the process

of reviewing with no green light from President Marcos, there is an ongoing discourse on

whether it should be approved or not. The researchers wanted to use this opportunity to

seek the perception of those who will be affected by this legislation. By studying this

topic, we can possibly hypothesize the public’s insight and what they’re reactions might

be. if ever the law will be passed.

The ROTC is believed to be reinstated as a requirement for senior high school

students this second time of the possible implementation. Contrary from before that is

solitary for college students. It includes civic education and readiness during actual

disaster response operations that would improve the country's ability to produce the

required labor and increase its human resources in times of war, calamities, and

emergencies, as well as in support of the government’s strategy for fighting crime by

building a group of trained reservists.

training. It instills upon individuals the discipline and physical attributes to protect the

people and the state from all threats, whether natural or man-made. There are various

voices regarding the issue of the possible implementation of mandatory ROTC. With that,

the researchers found that this area of study is timely and will help the people to voice out

their perception especially the senior high school learners of the selected private schools

in Tarlac City.

 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The ROTC was a prominent government program for secondary and college

students before, and that it is now being reimplemented for senior high school students.

The government says that the Reserve Officers' Training Corps is not only about

disciplining the youth but also about chivalry, which appears to be disappearing in these

modern times.

The University of the Philippines' Department of Military Science and Tactics

founded the first ROTC unit on July 3, 1922. According to the article, "The History of the

Reserve Officer Training Corps in the Philippines," President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., a

product of the ROTC program, class of 1937 who was a soldier during World War II,

reintroduced the ROTC as a required program in 1967. Due to various issues affecting

the program in the 1980s and 1990s, ROTC became voluntary when the National Service
Training Program Act of 2001 was established. It is now allegedly being reintroduced as

a mandatory requirement for all senior high school students.

According to Article II Section XXIII of the 1987 Constitution of The Republic of

the Philippines, the state recognizes the importance of youth in the development of the

country and must promote and preserve their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and

social welfare. It will be based on the “patriotism and nationalism of the youth and will

encourage their participation in public and civic activities.”

Graduates of the ROTC advanced program serve in all branches of the Armed

Forces of the Philippines. According to Mostajo (2016), roughly 75% of the AFP officer

corps in 2008 were ROTC graduates from the officer preparation schools of the various

services. Through a merit-based incentive program, the ROTC offers qualified student

cadets scholarship benefits in exchange for a commitment to serve in the military reserve

or, if available, on active duty in the AFP following graduation.

Senior high school students of this generation may have different perceptions

about this specific issue. Vice President Sara Duterte has said the news about

reimplementing the Mandatory ROTC in the Philippines. So, the researchers decided to

conduct a study regarding the perceptions of Grade 10 and 11 students, who may be the

ones who will experience the reimplementation of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps

in the Philippines.

ROTC’s trained officers are to strike a balance between military prowess and a

dedication to civil society norms and the rule of law. This equilibrium is advantageous

because it can, among other things, improve the effectiveness of civilian authority over
the armed forces. Although there has been much discussion about the practicality of the

citizen soldier concept today, it remains a valuable and significant aspiration in a society

where strong adherence to constitutional principles coexists with significant defense

commitments and demands.

The goal of ROTC is to help students improve their leadership abilities, both

theoretically and practically, in relation to the program’s military training. The

curriculum incorporates military discipline and courtesy so that graduates would be

physically fit and prepared for military service when called upon. When the Philippines is

threatened, the lack of available weaponry and battle supplies is particularly highlighted;

consequently, at the very least, preparing the students to fight and protect themselves is a

way of somewhat enhancing the military’s capabilities.

Once the program was made voluntary and optional, the number of young men

enlisting in it in preparation for a prospective military career fell. The value of ROTC and

fostering a stronger sense of patriotism in them is still up for debate. Before the program

can be fully utilized by the students, changes should be made to better address the

problems in the curriculum and the way ROTC is carried out.

The ROTC is a public engagement for Filipino students' education and defense

preparedness programs in the Philippines. It aims to give students military training in

order to encourage, develop, organize, and mobilize them for national military

preparation, as well as to prepare young people for service in the country. 

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Grade 10 & 11 Learners of selected private schools in Tarlac City, when it comes to

possible re-implementation of the Mandatory Reserve Officer' Training Corps during

their ensuing school years.  

It also aims to answer the following questions:

1. What is the demographic profile of the respondents?

1.1. Age

1.2. Grade Level

1.3. Strand

1.4. Economic Status

2. What is your idea of ROTC?

3. As a person, what do you think is the effect of ROTC when it was implemented

before?

4. As a person, what will be the effect of ROTC if it will be re-implemented at

present?

4.1. Time Management

      4.2. Discipline

      4.3. Health

5. What are the possible pros and cons if they re-implement ROTC?

6. What are the implications of the study?

The study focused on the extent of the perceptions of 10 and 11 Learners of

Selected Private Schools in Tarlac City to The Re-Implementation of Mandatory Reserve

Officer' Training Corps. 

The following assumptions were made:

1. The researchers assumed that the respondents would be a reliable source of

information that would make this study a success. 

2. The researchers assumed that the students would have different opinions about the

possible implementation of ROTC.

3.The researchers assumed that the respondents would be honest in answering the

questions. 

4. Data scores are useful for decision making of the implementation of ROTC.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

This study will be focusing on the perception of Grade 10 and 11 students towards

the reimplementation of the Mandatory Reserve Officer Training Corps in the

Philippines. This study is limited to students who are in grades 10 and 11 because they

are the ones who may be involved in the reimplementation of this program next year. 

The study examined the perceived influence of the program on the social

development of the cadet, the behavior of the cadet, and the overall school environment.

Data for this study was collected through a survey of our Grade 10 to 11 students at a
private school. This study requires Grade 10 and Grade 11 learners, where the researchers

choose a private school and a given set of questions are given to the respondents.

LIMITATIONS

This research focuses on finding out the perception of the students from Grades

10 and 11 learners of selected private schools in Tarlac City when it comes to the

possible re-implementation of the Mandatory Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC).

This study is only limited to male students of selected private schools in Tarlac City who

are enrolled for the school year 2022–2023. They have been chosen as the respondents

because if and when the ROTC is implemented, they will be the most affected levels.

This research is not concerned with female students in any way because ROTC was only

implemented for men in the past.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is important because it can provide extensive information and

knowledge for learners, and it can also be used to determine the awareness of the students

regarding the happenings in our country, school administration, and ROTC

implementation. The information can also be used by the authorities to provide further

information about the learners who are subject to the ROTC program and will be
informed of the issues if the students are ready to undergo the program and if the students

are informed regarding ROTC. The Reserve Officer Training Corps is a program that

consists of military instruction through training, interviews, and physical training located

in private schools.

To Commission on Higher Education, 

This study can help the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) ensure ROTC

program components, and by ensuring that the common modules are properly

incorporated into the program components they are mandated to supervise by the

government and private schools in the City of Tarlac in Grades 10 to 11. The necessity of

conducting an assessment of the various training policies of CHED requires that teachers

must have at least a Master's Degree in the fields in which they teach.

To Department of Education,

This study will help the Department of Education (DepEd) to understand the

students' perceptions of the ROTC program and which strategies should be applied to

improve student performance and the possible revival of the mandatory ROTC under the

Marcos Administration.

To Selected Schools’ Administration,

The school administration will understand the importance of ROTC programs for

the students and will be better able to make decisions about the program based on the
data provided. This research will provide the necessary knowledge to help schools make

informed decisions about ROTC and its impact on learners.

To Respondents,

This research will be essential for 10 th and 11th Grade students as they participate

in the curriculum. This will be an instrument that will help them navigate its challenges

and better understand the credibility and reliability of sources of information in order to

further understand the ROTC program.

To Future Researchers,

This research will be a useful reference for researchers who would plan to

conduct any related study, precisely the standard underlying the Re/Implementation of

Mandatory Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Case Study. A study of an individual unit, as a person, family, or social group, usually

emphasizing developmental issues and relationships with the environment, especially in

order to compare a larger group to the individual unit (Dictionary.com). In this study,

case study is the type of research used to conduct the study in order for the researchers to

know the Perception of the Male Grade 10 & 11 learners regarding the re-implementation

of the ROTC. 

ROTC. Reserve Officers Training Corps (Dictionary.com). ROTC is the main topic and

focus in this research.

Re-Implementation. The act of implementing again (yourdictionary.com). In this study,

the Mandatory ROTC is said to be possibly re-implemented for senior high school

learners.

Mandatory. Authoritatively ordered; obligatory, or compulsory (Dictionary.com). In this

study, the ROTC was Mandatory for College students and is said to be Mandatory also

for all senior high school learners this time. 

Reservists. A person who belongs to a reserve military force of a country

(Dictionary.com). In this study, the students taking ROTC, which is the college students,
are preparing to join the reservist program for emergency purposes and maybe become

commissioned officers.

Military. Pertaining to the army or armed forces, often as distinguished from the navy

(Dictionary.com). In this study, ROTC aspires to provide military education and training

in order to generate competent Armed Forces of the Philippines reservists.

Time Management. The analysis of how working hours are spent and the prioritization

of tasks in order to maximize personal efficiency in the workplace (dictionary.com). In

this study, the researchers will conduct a survey questioning the students if they will be

able to manage their time on how they will balance their study time and training. 

Discipline. Training to act in accordance with rules or a punishment inflicted by way of

correction and training (dictionary.com). In this study, the researchers will conduct a

survey regarding the effect of the ROTC in terms of the students’ discipline if they are

capable of following and accepting rules and orders.

Health. The general condition of the body or mind with reference to soundness and vigor

whether good health or poor health (dictionary.com). In this study, the researchers will

conduct a survey regarding the effect of the ROTC if the students are healthy enough to

manage or survive the training.

Fig. 1

RESEARCH PARADIGM
 As presented in Figure 1 above, this study uses a model that shows the concept of

the study. Presented in the figure is the framework of the study that follows a hierarchical

structure of processes. The input column is the characteristics of Grade 10 and 11

students from private schools in Tarlac City. This also includes their perception of the re-

implementation of The Mandatory Reserved Officer's Training Corps (ROTC). The

process column includes the potential effect of ROTC on students' time management,

discipline, and health. This study utilizes a questionnaire that gathers numerical data from

the participants based on their acceptance of the re-implementation of ROTC as well as

analysis of its benefits. Furthermore, the output column includes the recommendations on

the re-implementation of the ROTC as well as relevant conclusions on the overall

perception of Grade 10 and 11 students from private schools concerning ROTC.

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https://www.dictionary.com/

Your Dictionary. https://www.yourdictionary.com/reimplementation.

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