Quantifying the Relationship Between Rizal's Educational Philosophy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Awareness

Abstract

José Rizal, the national hero of the Philippines, championed education toward national reform and self-determination. His literary works, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, emphasized the role of education in developing critical thinking, civic engagement, and national pride. For him, education was the way to free not only the classroom but students for a more holistic learning including artistic mind (Mansur, 2024). Rizal saw education as the key to creating Filipinos who could lead the country to freedom and self-determination. This paper explored Rizal’s educational philosophy in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). It further investigated the extent to which Rizal’s values were embedded in contemporary higher education in the Philippines, particularly in relation to students’ awareness and participation in sustainability initiatives. Using a mixed-method approach and referencing recent studies, the paper highlighted how Rizal’s teachings were integrated into modern curricula to enhance students’ civic responsibility and engagement with global issues. The findings underscored curriculum reform, experiential learning models, and institutional support were needed to bridge the gap between historical education and sustainable development.