List of the oldest schools in the Philippines

This is a list of educational institutions in the Philippines arranged according to the dates of their foundation. It comprises the list of the oldest schools in the Philippines sorted in various categories, and gives an overview of the development of education and higher learning in the Philippines. To be included in this list, an institution must satisfy a traditional definition of a formal educational institution at the time of its founding.

The oldest universities, colleges, vocational schools and the first modern public education system in Asia were created during the Spanish colonial period. The earliest schools were founded by Spanish Catholic missionaries. By the time Spain was replaced by the United States as the colonial power, Filipinos were among the most educated subjects in all of Asia.

Dispute over the oldest school

The title of the oldest in the Philippines have been topic for debate between two educational institutions: the University of Santo Tomas and the University of San Carlos.UST, USC engages in friendly debate
''Today's Carolinian'' Accessed 19 April 2020

The University of Santo Tomas, established in 1611 as the Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario, is the oldest university in the Philippines. In 1935 the Commonwealth government of the Philippines through the Historical Research and Markers Committee declared that UST was "oldest university under the American flag."The Historical Marker Database
accessed 19 April 2020 In the 1990s, the Intramuros Administration installed a marker on the original site of the University of Santo Tomas with the recognition that the university is the "oldest university in Asia."University of Santo Tomas
''Intramuros Administration marker'' Accessed 23 April 2020 In 2011 Pope Benedict XVI recognized UST as "the oldest institution of Catholic higher education in the Far East,"The Papal Message from Pope Benedict XVI to the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas
accessed 19 April 2020 while in 2012 the National Historical Commission of the Philippines published an online article recognizing UST as "Asia’s Oldest University".Asia’s Oldest University, The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas
'National Historical Commission of the Philippines' accessed 19 April 2020

However, University of San Carlos has opposed this recognition and claims that it is older than the University of Santo Tomas by 16 years by tracing its roots to the Colegio de San Ildefonso (established 1595).About USC
'The University of San Carlos Website' accessed 19 April 2020 In 1995, University of San Carlos celebrated its Quadricentennial (400th Anniversary).No contest: UST is oldest university
'Philippine Daily Inquirer' Accessed 19 April 2020

UST as Asia's Oldest University

Numerous scholars and official government bodies have reviewed the case. In 2010, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines installed a bronze marker declaring USC's foundation late in the 18th Century, effectively disproving any direct connection with the Colegio de San Ildefonso.NHCP historical marker for University of San Carlos in Cebu City
'National Historical Commission of the Philippines marker' accessed 19 April 2020 According to Dr. Victor Torres of the De La Salle University, the University of San Carlos' claim dates back to 1948 only when USC was declared a university. Fidel Villarroel from the University of Santo Tomas argued that USC only took over the facility of the former Colegio de San Ildefonso and that there is no 'visible' and 'clear' link between San Carlos and San Ildefonso.UST is oldest, period
'The Varsitarian' Accessed 19 April 2020 Aloysius Cartagenas (a Cebuano), in a paper published by Philippiniana Sacra, stated that the correct foundation year of USC is 1867, and not 1595,Which Is the Oldest University? Revisiting the Conflicting Claims of the University of Santo Tomas,Manila and University of San Carlos, Cebu in Light of the Historyof Seminario (Mayor) de San Carlos of Cebu
'Philippine E-Journals' accessed 19 April 2020 while in 2012 the National Historical Commission of the Philippines cemented its previous position when it published an online article recognizing UST as "Asia’s Oldest University.

Oldest educational institutions

Oldest educational institutions in continuous operation

Oldest educational institutions for girls

Oldest public educational institutions

Educational institutions with the oldest university charters

Oldest seminaries

Oldest law schools

Oldest schools of medicine

Oldest normal schools

Oldest schools of engineering

References

See also

* Education in the Philippines
** Education in the Philippines during Spanish rule
** Education in the Philippines during American rule
* Higher education in the Philippines
** Medical education in the Philippines
** Legal education in the Philippines
** List of universities and colleges in the Philippines
** List of Catholic universities and colleges in the Philippines

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