List of the oldest schools in the Philippines
![](../I/m/UST_in_Intramuros.jpg)
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. Chronologically, an educational institution can only be included in the top ten in a certain category only if no other school has been proven, with reliable sources, to be older. Moreover, an addendum shall be attached in a category where an entry is disputed or defunct; this addendum shall consist of the next undisputed or still operating educational institution.
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.[3]
Oldest educational institutions
Oldest educational institutions in continuous operation
Disputed
Note: The University of San Carlos traces its roots to the Colegio de San Ildefonso founded by the Spanish Jesuits fathers Antonio Sedeno, Pedro Chirino and Antonio Pereira in 1595, thus claiming to be the oldest still existing school in Asia.[23] USC celebrated its quadricentennial in 1995.[23] However, this claim is opposed by the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas,[24][25] which argues 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.[24][25]
Notable scholars including Dr. Jose Victor Torres, professor of history at the De La Salle University,[24][26] Fr. Aloysius Cartagenas STD, professor at the Seminario Mayor de San Carlos of Cebu[27][28] and Fr. Fidel Villarroel, OP, eminent historian and former archivist of Santo Tomas[25][29][30] have also questioned San Carlos' claim of tracing its roots to the 16th Century Colegio de San Ildefonso.[24][25]''
Addendum
A claim in the first ten is disputed; accordingly, an addendum with the next undisputed claim is listed here.
Rank | Current name | Traces origin to | Year of foundation | Founding order | Location | Type | Current affiliations | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 | Immaculate Conception School of Theology, Vigan | Seminario de San Pablo | 1822 | Dominican Order | Vigan | Seminary | Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia | [42][43][44][45] |
Oldest educational institutions for girls
Still in operation Defunct Established as a School for Girls
Addendum
Two among the first ten oldest schools for girls are already defunct; accordingly, an addendum with the next oldest girls' school is listed in regards with the top 10 oldest schools for girls in continuous operation.
Rank | Year of foundation | Current Name | Name at the time of foundation | Location | Type | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 | 1907 | Centro Escolar University | Centro Escolar de Señoritas | Manila | Private, Non-Sectarian | [59] |
Note: Centro Escolar University was established as Centro Escolar de Señoritas by Doña Librada Avelino and Doña Carmen de Luna in 1907 to cater the young women of Manila. The university is still continuously operating, but now as a co-educational institution.
Oldest public educational institutions
Still in operation Defunct Disputed
Rank | Year of foundation | Current name | Name at the time of foundation | Location | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1640 | Universidad de San Felipe de Austria | Universidad de San Felipe de Austria | Manila | [22] |
2 | 1861 | Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University | Escuela De Artes y Oficios De Bacolor | Pampanga | |
3 | |||||
4 | |||||
5 | |||||
6 | |||||
7 | |||||
8 | |||||
9 | |||||
10 |
Educational institutions with the oldest university charters
Still in operation Defunct Disputed
Rank | Name | Year of university charter | Charter granted by | Location | Type | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Universidad de San Ignacio | 1621 | Philip IV of Spain | Manila | Private | [8][9] |
2 | Universidad de San Felipe de Austria | 1640 | Real Audiencia de Manila | Manila | Public | [22] |
3 | University of Santo Tomas | 1645 | Pope Innocent X, Philip IV of Spain | Manila | Private | [15][16] |
4 | Universidad Literaria de Filipinas | 1898 | Philippine Revolutionary government | Manila | Public | [60][61][62] |
5 | University of the Philippines Manila | 1908 | American Civil government | Manila | Public | [63][64] |
6 | University of the Philippines Los Baños | 1909 | American Civil government | Los Baños, Laguna | Public | [63] |
7 | University of the Philippines Visayas | 1918 | American Civil government | Miagao, Iloilo | Public | [63][65] |
8 | Centro Escolar University | 1932 | Philippine Commonwealth government | Manila | Private | [59] |
9 | Silliman University | 1938 | Philippine Commonwealth government | Dumaguete | Private | [66] |
10 | Adamson University | 1941 | Philippine Commonwealth government | Manila | Private | [67] |
Addendum
Three among the first ten educational institutions with the oldest University charter is already defunct; accordingly, an addendum with the next schools with the oldest University charter is listed in regards with the top 10 oldest that are still in continuous operation.
Rank | Name | Year of university charter | Charter granted by | Location | Type | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 | University of the Philippines Diliman | 1949 | Philippine government | Quezon City | Public | [63] |
12 | ||||||
13 |
Oldest Seminaries
Still in operation Defunct Disputed
Rank | Year of foundation | Current name | Name at the time of foundation | Founding order | Location | Current affiliations | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1590 | Universidad de San Ignacio | Colegio de Manila | Society of Jesus | Manila | Defunct | [8][9][14] |
2 | 1601 | San José Seminary | Colegio de San José | Society of Jesus | Manila | Jesuit | [13][14] |
3 | 1611 | University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary | Colegio de Nuestra Señora de Santisimo Rosario | Dominican Order | Manila | Dominican | [15][16][68] |
4 | 1702 | San Carlos Seminary | Real y Conciliar Colegio de San Carlos | Archdiocese of Manila | Manila | Archdiocese of Manila | [31] |
5 | 1783 | Seminario Mayor de San Carlos | Real Seminario de San Carlos | Archdiocese of Cebu | Cebu City | Society of the Divine Word | [40] |
6 | 1793 | Holy Rosary Minor Seminary | Casa de Clerigos | Archdiocese of Caceres | Naga City | Archdiocese of Caceres | [41] |
7 | 1822 | Immaculate Conception School of Theology, Vigan | Seminario de San Pablo | Dominican Order | Vigan | Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia | [42] |
8 | |||||||
9 | |||||||
10 |
Oldest Law Schools
Still in operation Defunct Disputed
Rank | Year of foundation | Name | Educational institution | Location | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1734 | University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law | University of Santo Tomas | Manila | [69] |
2 | 1734 | Universidad de San Ignacio Facultad de Derecho Civil | Universidad de San Ignacio | Manila | [69] |
3 | 1898 | Universidad Literaria de Filipinas Civil Law | Universidad Literaria de Filipinas | Manila | [60][61][62] |
4 | 1899 | Manila Law College | Manila Law College | Manila | [70][71] |
5 | 1911 | University of the Philippines College of Law | University of the Philippines | Quezon City | [72] |
6 | 1913 | University of Manila College of Law | University of Manila | Manila | [73] |
7 | 1915 | Philippine Law School | Philippine Law School | Manila | [74][75] |
8 | 1918 | University of Manila College of Law | University of Manila | Manila | [76][77] |
9 | 1934 | Far Eastern University Institute of Law | Far Eastern University | Manila | [78] |
10 | 1935 | Silliman University College of Law | Silliman University | Dumaguete | [79] |
Addendum
Two among the first ten oldest law schools is already defunct; accordingly, an addendum with the next oldest law school is listed in regards with the top 10 oldest law schools in continuous operation.
Rank | Year of foundation | Name | Educational institution | Location | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 | 1936 | Ateneo Law School | Ateneo de Manila University | Quezon City | [80] |
12 | 1937 | University of San Carlos School of Law and Governance | University of San Carlos | Cebu City | [81] |
Oldest Schools of Medicine
Still in operation Defunct Disputed
Oldest Normal Schools
Still in operation Defunct Disputed
Rank | Year of foundation | Current name | Name at the time of foundation | Location | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1901 | Philippine Normal University | Philippine Normal School | Manila | |
2 | |||||
3 | |||||
4 | |||||
5 | |||||
6 | |||||
7 | |||||
8 | |||||
9 | |||||
10 |
Oldest Schools of Midwifery
Still in operation Defunct Disputed
Rank | Year of foundation | Current name | Name at the time of foundation | Location | ReferencePhilippines |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1≈≥≥≥≥ | |||||
2 | |||||
3 | |||||
4 | |||||
5 | |||||
6 | |||||
7 | |||||
8 | |||||
9 | |||||
10 |
Oldest Schools of Engineering
Still in operation Defunct Disputed
Rank | Year of foundation | Name | Educational institution | Location | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1907 | University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Enginring | University of Santo Tomas | Manila | [83] |
2 | |||||
3 | |||||
4 | |||||
5 | |||||
6 | |||||
7 | |||||
8 | |||||
9 | |||||
10 |
Oldest Music Schools
Still in operation Defunct Disputed
Rank | Year of foundation | Current name | Name at the time of foundation | Location | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | |||||
2 | |||||
3 | |||||
4 | |||||
5 | |||||
6 | |||||
7 | |||||
8 | |||||
9 | |||||
10 |
References
- ↑ Garcia, F.C. (February 1, 2006). "Remembering our Rectors". The Varsitarian. 77 (9). Retrieved November 9, 2011.
- ↑ De Ramos, N.V., 2000. I Walked with Twelve UST Rectors.
- ↑ Coleman 2009, pp. 17–59
- 1 2 Grant to the seminary of Santa Potenciana, 1617 accessed May 30, 2012
- 1 2 Real Colegio de Santa Potenciana accessed May 30, 2012
- 1 2 Perez Dasmarinas, Luis. Letters from Luis Perez Dasmariñas to Felipe II. In The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898. Ohio: A.H. Clark Company, 1903-9. Vol. 9
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Ang edukasyon sa panahon ng mga Kastila "The Filipino Corner" accessed October 27, 2012
- 1 2 3 The First Hundred Years of the Ateneo de Manila Ateneo de Manila University website May 1, 2012
- 1 2 3 Geographical History Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila website May 1, 2012
- 1 2 3 About USC: University of San Carlos University of San Carlos website retrieved on 2012-04-24
- 1 2 3 No contest: UST is oldest university Inquirer.net accessed May 30, 2012
- 1 2 3 UST is oldest, period Varsitarian website accessed May 30, 2012
- 1 2 3 History of Colegio de San Jose / San Jose Seminary San Jose Seminary website accessed May 12, 2012
- 1 2 3 4 Fr. Miguel A. Bernad, S.J.: "Colegio de San José (1601-2001): A Quick Survey of the Turbulent 400-year History of an Educational Institution" Monk's Hobbit May 1, 2012
- 1 2 3 4 Lim-Pe, Josefina (1973). The University of Santo Tomas in the Twentieth Century. University of Santo Tomas Press, Manila. pp. 1–19.
- 1 2 3 4 History of the University of Santo Tomas University of Santo Tomas website accessed May 30, 2012
- 1 2 3 4 History of Colegio de San Juan de Letran Colegio de San Juan de Letran website accessed May 30, 2012
- 1 2 Colegio de San Juan de Letran jobstreet.com accessed May 30, 2012
- 1 2 A Knight's Tale - The Lance, June 2005
- 1 2 3 Santa Isabel College Santa Isabel College website accessed May 28, 2012
- 1 2 3 Colegio de Santa Isabel intramuros.wordpress.com accessed October 27, 2012
- 1 2 3 The first university The Philippine Star accessed May 28, 2012
- 1 2 University of San Carlos Website. University of San Carlos Website May 1, 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 No Contest, UST is Oldest. Inquirer Website May 1, 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 UST is oldest, period. Varsitarian Website May 1, 2012.
- ↑ Jose Victor Torres: Dramatizing History and Historicizing Drama. Montagemagazine Website May 1, 2012.
- ↑ Aloysius Cartagenas. linkedin.com May 1, 2012.
- ↑ SMSC Faculty Roster. Seminario Mayor de San Carlos May 1, 2012.
- ↑ UST Archives Director Fr. Fidel. Fidel Villarroel May 1, 2012.
- ↑ Evolution of Higher Education in the Philippines. Inquirer.net May 1, 2012.
- 1 2 San Carlos Seminary website accessed May 28, 2012
- 1 2 3 4 History of the Colegio de Santa Catalina accessed May 29, 2012
- ↑ The Beaterio de Sta. Catalina de Siena of Manila: Its Beginnings Mother Francisca O.P. Siena website accessed October 27, 2012
- 1 2 Brief accounts on the Mother Foundress and the Beaterio de Santa Catalina de Siena now the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena accessed October 27, 2012
- ↑ Mother Francisca del Espiritu Santo accessed October 27, 2012
- 1 2 Noli Me Tangere/Huag Acong Salangin Nino Man: Pascual Poblete Filipino translation by Rizal, Jose Filipiniana.net accessed October 27, 2012
- 1 2 Geodeg website accessed October 28, 2012
- 1 2 Ito ang mga kolehiyong itinatag ng mga paring Kastila sa Pilipinas accessed October 28, 2012
- 1 2 Colegio de Sta. Rosa’s Legend of the Twisted Sword Traveler on foot website accessed October 28, 2012
- 1 2 History and Heritage Seminario Mayor de San Carlos website accessed May 28, 2012
- 1 2 Holy Rosary Minor Seminary History accessed May 28, 2012
- 1 2 Immaculate Conception School of Theology history Immaculate Conception School of Theology website accessed May 28, 2012
- ↑ Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia Claretian Publications website accessed October 28, 2012
- ↑ Seminaries, Houses of Formation UCA News website accessed October 28, 2012
- ↑ Nueva Segovia Chancery directory Nueva Segovia Chancery website accessed October 28, 2012
- ↑ Universidad de Santa Isabel history Universidad de Santa Isabel website accessed May 30, 2012
- ↑ Universidad de Sta. Isabel Nursing Guide website accessed November 2, 2012
- ↑ Universidad de Sta. Isabel: 137 Years Young (The Best of Catholic Vincentian Education) The Manila Bulletin website accessed November 2, 2012
- ↑ Vincentian Online Library accessed November 2, 2012
- ↑ History of Concordia College Concordia College website accessed May 29, 2012
- ↑ A page in Ayala’s history: May 3, 1868 Filipinas Heritage Library website accessed November 2, 2012
- ↑ Noli Me Tangere/The Social Cancer: Charles Derbyshire English translation by Rizal, Jose Filipiniana website accessed November 2, 2012
- ↑ Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion History Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion website accessed May 30, 2012
- ↑ Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepción Everything Cebu website accessed November 2, 2012
- ↑ de la Inmaculada Concepcion - Cebu accessed November 2, 2012
- ↑ Schools and Universities in Cebu All About Cebu website accessed November 2, 2012
- 1 2 Assumption in the Philippines Assumption College website accessed May 30, 2012
- ↑ History of St. Scholastica's College St. Scholastica's College website accessed May 30, 2012
- 1 2 Centro Escolar University website accessed December 3, 2016
- 1 2 The First University The Philstar website accessed October 27, 2012
- 1 2 Decree of 19 October 1898, establishing the Literary University of the Philippines by Aguinaldo, Emilio Filipiniana.net accessed October 27, 2012
- 1 2 Universidad Literaria de Filipinas The Manila Bulletin website accessed October 27, 2012
- 1 2 3 4 About UP University of the Philippines website accessed May 31, 2012
- ↑ UP Manila University of the Philippines website accessed May 31, 2012
- ↑ About UPV University of the Philippines Visayas website accessed May 31, 2012
- ↑ History: Silliman's Journey of Over a Century Silliman University website accessed May 31, 2012
- ↑ Adamson University history Adamson University website accessed May 31, 2012
- ↑ UST Central Seminary History University of Santo Tomas website accessed May 30, 2012
- 1 2 Royal and Pontifical Inquirer.net accessed July 30, 2012
- ↑ About Manila Law College Manila Law College website accessed October 27, 2012
- ↑ Manila Law College (formerly Manila Law College Foundation) Philippine Online School Directory website accessed October 27, 2012
- ↑ A brief history of the UP College of Law University of the Philippines College of Law website accessed July 31, 2012
- ↑ University of Manila history University of Manila website accessed July 31, 2012
- ↑ Philippine Law School accessed July 31, 2012
- ↑ The Philippine Law School Philippine Online School Directory website accessed October 27, 2012
- ↑ Did you know: University of Manila "Inquirer website" accessed October 27, 2012
- ↑ Ninety Years of the University of Manila "88DB.com" accessed October 27, 2012
- ↑ Far Eastern University Institute of Law Far Eastern University Institute of Law website accessed July 31, 2012
- ↑ History of Silliman University College of Law Silliman University College of Law website accessed July 31, 2012
- ↑ Ateneo Law School Ateneo Law School website accessed July 31, 2012
- ↑ University of San Carlos School of Law and Governance University of San Carlos School of Law and Governance website accessed July 31, 2012
- ↑ Official prospectus, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, 2006
- ↑ University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Engineering University of Santo Tomas website accessed July 31, 2012