NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
SWS: 42% of Respondents Believe ROTC Should be Optional
Photo credit: Philippine Army
In the latest Social Weather Report released on May 4th, 2023, it was found that 42% of adult Filipinos believe that Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) should be optional for students. The survey, conducted from March 26-29, 2023, sampled 1,200 adults nationwide with a sampling error margin of ±2.8%.
The survey showed that 35% of respondents believe that ROTC should be a compulsory course for Senior High School students in Grade 11 and 12. Meanwhile, 22% of respondents say that ROTC should not be included in the curriculum of students.
The question asked in the survey was, "Which of these statements is closest to your opinion regarding the current issue on the Reserve Officers' Training Corps or ROTC?" Respondents were then shown a showcard with the options: "ROTC should be a compulsory course for Senior High School students in Grade 11 and 12," "ROTC should not be included in the curriculum of students," and "ROTC should be optional where one can choose this as a course or choose community service."
The results of the survey suggest that there is a divide among Filipinos regarding the inclusion of ROTC in the curriculum. The majority of respondents believe that it should either be optional or compulsory, with only 22% stating that it should not be included in the curriculum at all.
ROTC is a program designed to provide military training to students and is currently mandatory for college students in the Philippines. However, its implementation has been a topic of debate for many years, with some arguing that it promotes nationalism and discipline while others say that it promotes a culture of violence and hazing.
The results of this survey will provide valuable insights for policymakers and education leaders who are currently reviewing the implementation of ROTC in schools. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the survey's findings, but it is clear that the Filipino people have a diverse range of opinions on the matter.
The survey showed that 35% of respondents believe that ROTC should be a compulsory course for Senior High School students in Grade 11 and 12. Meanwhile, 22% of respondents say that ROTC should not be included in the curriculum of students.
The question asked in the survey was, "Which of these statements is closest to your opinion regarding the current issue on the Reserve Officers' Training Corps or ROTC?" Respondents were then shown a showcard with the options: "ROTC should be a compulsory course for Senior High School students in Grade 11 and 12," "ROTC should not be included in the curriculum of students," and "ROTC should be optional where one can choose this as a course or choose community service."
The results of the survey suggest that there is a divide among Filipinos regarding the inclusion of ROTC in the curriculum. The majority of respondents believe that it should either be optional or compulsory, with only 22% stating that it should not be included in the curriculum at all.
ROTC is a program designed to provide military training to students and is currently mandatory for college students in the Philippines. However, its implementation has been a topic of debate for many years, with some arguing that it promotes nationalism and discipline while others say that it promotes a culture of violence and hazing.
The results of this survey will provide valuable insights for policymakers and education leaders who are currently reviewing the implementation of ROTC in schools. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the survey's findings, but it is clear that the Filipino people have a diverse range of opinions on the matter.
May 4, 2023
