Lacson joins push to restore GMRC subject in schools

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Panfilo Lacson has filed a bill seeking to restore the teaching of good manners and right conduct (GMRC) in all schools nationwide.

GMRC has been removed from the schools’ curriculum when the K to 12 program was implemented.

Under Lacson’s Senate Bill 1185, GMRC would be taught during children’s formative years from Kindergarten to Grade 3.

The veteran lawmaker argued that teaching GMRC as a separate subject is needed especially since many young Filipinos are already exposed to the negative influences of technology.

“In order to create a balance, it is necessary for our educational system to aid the Filipino family in imparting good manners and right conduct to our young students by its inclusion in the curriculum at the beginning of their school years,” Lacson said, noting how modern technology threatens to impact the social skills and manners of Filipino youth.

Under the proposed measure, the curriculum would also focus on the basics of GMRC including caring for oneself, giving concern for others, according to proper respect to people, upholding discipline and order, cultivating sincerity, honesty, obedience, and love for the country.

“Taking into account the Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao curriculum of the Department of Education’s K-12 program, the Good Manners and Right Conduct curriculum is hereby institutionalized and shall be designated as a separate subject to be taught in Kindergarten to Grade 3 levels,” Lacson said in his bill.

He added the teaching method shall be actual or situational instead of just conceptual, so students can directly relate to the lessons and practice them.

Other senators have also filed separate bills seeking to restore GMRC in the school curriculum. Among them were Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, and Joel Villanueva.

Edited by MUF