Philippine E-Journals

The Social and Personal Influence of Rizal's Life and Works on University Students: A Framework for Curriculum Enhancement

Ken Del Rosario | Alex Compas

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

The Rizal law paved the way for the integration of Rizal's life and works into the curriculum in both private and public schools. This subject revolves around Rizal's birth, ancestry, and his education, as well as his literary works that helped achieve peace and freedom in the country. The goal of this subject is to inspire students through the life and works of the subject. However, recent studies show that most students do not find this subject inspiring; some take it merely for compliance. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the social and personal influence of Rizal's life and works on university students at the University of the Visayas – Main Campus as a framework for curriculum enhancement. Utilizing a descriptive-correlational research method, data were collected through surveys and analyzed using mean, standard deviations, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results show that Rizal's influence significantly impacts students' community engagement and social consciousness, with high influence on participation in community service (M = 4.26; SD = 0.76) and awareness of social injustices (M = 4.29; SD = 0.95). Furthermore, Rizal's inspiration fosters self-reflection and moral integrity; students report significant reflection on personal growth (M = 3.88; SD = 1.01) and values (M = 3.89; SD = 0.92). Additionally, the study reveals that a strong, positive correlation (p = 0.001) exists between students' appreciation of Rizal's social impact and their internalization of personal virtues, which indicates his role in intertwining moral development with civic consciousness. However, translating inspiration into active social advocacy remains limited, which emphasizes the need for curricular strategies that enhance students' confidence and advocacy skills. Overall, the findings recommend curriculum modifications to integrate Rizal's principles, thereby encouraging active participation and moral growth, and suggest further research on long-term civic behaviors influenced by Rizal's legacy. These comprehensive findings aim to inform educators and policymakers in producing more morally and socially responsible graduates grounded in Rizal's enduring ideals