BENIGNO V. ALDANA
(1899-1963)
Dr. Benigno Aldana, director of a public school instead, was a prominent educator.
He was born November 19, 1898 in Pozorrubio, Pangasinan and Dionisio Aldana
Magdalena Vera.
He finished high school in Pangasinan High School in 1916 and
enrolled in the Philippine Normal School (now the University Philippine Normal). He was an active
student, regularly participating in school events and the publication of the organ school, the torch. In 1925,
He graduated honors. He continued his studies at the University of
Philippines, in 1931 obtained the Bachelor of Science in Education, Major in English
and in 1933, specializes in a graduate degree in education in educational administration (small,
Public Schools Finance), University of California at Berkeley, where he was
retired government from 1952 to 1953. His thesis was "Development of a Foundation
funding of public schools in the Philippines. "
Dr. Aldana began his successful career in education as a high school in 1916. It
increased rapidly, becoming elementary school principal in three years. He was promoted
high school in 1920 and supervision of teachers in 1921. Subsequently he became
Supervisor 91,926), and the division superintendent of schools (1933), which covers
provinces of Bukidnon and Camarines Sur. He served as a "master of the special touches" on the
Academic Division of the Office of Education and in 1940 was appointed to the Quezon
demand for education. He was technical assistant to the Commission solely on the budget
Before the Second World War broke out. He also worked as a researcher at the General Control
Mesa.
In 1954 he was adviser to the president for education. He had served as
Superintendent of private schools before sworn in as deputy director of public schools by
By President Magsaysay in 1955. In 1957, he took the leadership in public schools
Department, first as interim and later a permanent basis. His supervisor, Director
Venancio Trinidad, was withdrawn in December 1956.
As public schools, CEO, Aldana tried to delegate more tasks
Superintendents to strengthen the administrative work at the provincial level. He gave them more
flexibility in the distribution of posts of teachers, principals or supervisors, not only in an attempt to
decentralizing power, but also the hope of putting an end to corrupt practices and ugly
give thanks to the help of influential officials and politicians, and ultimately improve
The deterioration of public education, since teachers do or qualified and deserving
Heads should be used.
Aldana is facing a host of other problems, all he has tried to solve during his mandate.
Among them were the lack of primary school teachers and textbooks, the lack of funding travel,
and delayed salaries of the teacher. To increase public education, he started an educational program
Provincial schools with funding from the Government of Australia. Under the general title
educational project, he tried to create pilot primary schools from 1959 to 1960, except
continuous operation of the pilot schools that began in 1953, to improve the quality of
instruction. Sensitive to the needs of minorities, which had printed manuals in the native language
languages, such as Samal and Tausog. More importantly, led the aid program
them to acquire training or sending some scholarships abroad. Its
positions of leadership, supervisory and teaching were qualified members of minority groups
groups. He also supported the creation of community colleges across the country.
Aldana In July 1957 he was elected one of five vice-presidents, 20 World
Conference on Public Education, held by the Economic, Social and Cultural
(UNESCO) in Geneva, Switzerland. Only one representative of the Philippines
Paper presented at the state of Philippine public school system and made recommendations
improve public education.
Aldana is also taught in schools like the University of Manila, Arellano University,
and the National Teachers College, and wrote scientific works and extensive teaching and
psychology. His books include: The curriculum of the Philippine Public School: its history and
Development (1935), the educational system of the Philippines (1949), which received
good review by the Office of UNESCO in Paris, and public schools in the Philippines: its
Administration and Finance. He also co-author of textbooks, two of which are in English
Fundamentals of English majors, and the fundamentals of educational psychology. Items
wrote are still relevant today: "The mental health of teachers," "Are we going to liberalize
Our policy on religious education in public schools? "Y" A message to teachers in rural areas. "
Dr. Aldana has been four months of retirement when he died of a heart attack
UST Hospital, July 6, 1963. He gave 47 years of his life to government service. Was
survived by his wife Josefa Salcedo, and their children, Benigno, Jr., Mrs. Virginia Aldana-Rania
Ms. Aurora Aldana-Leyva, Mrs. Evangeline Aldana-Vitug, and Manual.
References.
Cornejo, MR Commonwealth Directory of the Philippines, 1939.
Manila Times, 1963
