Educational Background of Rizal During the Studies in Ateneo de Manila, UST and Abroad

Rizal’s Educational Background.

IN ATENEO:

Four months after the martyrdom of GomBurZa, Jose Rizal’s parents decided to send him to a school in Manila. He passed the entrance examination in San Juan De Letran but during his stay for fiesta in their hometown, his father changed his decision and sent him to Ateneo instead. Ateneo Municipal was run by the Jesuits which was the rival of the Dominican priests. The Jesuits were great educators which attracted most of the prominent families to send their children to their school.

Rizal was eleven years old when he first studied there. He can understand Spanish but cannot speak the language fluently. He was placed at the bottom of the students rank, but in just a week’s time, Rizal showed excellence in all of his subjects. He learned the Spanish language incredibly fast and within one month, he was the schools emperor, meaning the top student.

Rizal’s first teacher was Father Bech. In the second half of the first year, his performance declined and was not able to maintain his academic supremacy that he held during his first half of the term for the reason that he was affected so much by the remarks of some professors. He placed second at the end of the year although his grades were marked excellent.

The second year, Jose had the same professor as in the previous year. At the end of the term, he visited his mother, who was still in prison, and told her the good news of his school performances. He was more inspired when he came back to school after his visit with his mother because he was told that she will be released three months from then.

In his fourth year, he befriended his professor father Sanchez, who became his favourite teacher. Father Sanchez inspired Rizal in poetry and to study harder. He showed appreciation to Jose’s God-given wisdom. For this reason, Jose Rizal regarded the Jesuits as “model of uprightness, earnestness, and love” for the advancement of the students.

At the age of 16, he graduated in Ateneo and received a bachelor in arts with highest honor but not as the valedictorian.

IN UST:

                The Bachelor of arts degree during Spanish times was equivalent to a high school diploma today. Thus Rizal’s brother, Paciano , and his mentors in Ateneo urged him to pursue higher education which his mother strongly disagreed. Donya Teodoro was afraid of what would happen to his son if he gained more knowledge, for she knew the fate of the Filipino intellectuals during their time.

                Regardless of his mothers warning, Rizal pursued higher education in UST. He enrolled in philosophy and letters because his father liked it. Rizal was still uncertain about his career and seeks the advice of others. Not long enough, Rizal received a letter from Father Recto whom he consulted for advice which course to take. He then shifted to Medicine, not only because of Father Recto but more importantly because of his mother who was losing her sight in those days.

                During his study in UST, Jose was also enrolled in Ateneo, he took a vocational course leading to a title of expert surveyor. Rizal remained his loyalty in Ateneo and participated in the schools activities. He loved the Jesuits more than the Dominicans who run his present school. The Dominicans showed racial discrimination for Filipinos and Rizal doesn’t like to be treated that way.

                Rizal joined contests in UST and showed his excellence in writing poems. He won first prize in two different major contests.  His works were the “To the Filipino Youth” and “The Council of the Gods”. His winning piece showed the Dominican priests that an indio could equal the Spaniards, or even better than them.

IN SPAIN:

                After finishing his medicine course in UST, Jose decided to go abroad to widen his knowledge about ophthalmology. Knowing his mother would disagree for his departure, Jose left the country in secret. Only his brother Paciano and his sister Saturnina knew of his plans. Jose Rizal first came to Barcelona, and then later on moved in Madrid, for education was cheaper in Madrid. He enrolled at the Central University in Madrid for licentiate in Medicine. He also took up lessons in painting and sculpture in Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando and in his free time he studied French and German language in Ateneo de Madrid.

            The next academic year, he studied and passed all subjects leading to the degree of Doctor of Medicine. However, he did not submit the thesis required for graduation nor paid the corresponding fees. He was not awarded his Doctor’s Diploma. Jose Rizal also finished his studies in Philosophy and Letters with higher grades. He was awarded the Degree of Licentiate in Philosophy and Letters by the Universidad Central de Madrid with the rating of excellent.

                In November, Rizal moved to Berlin where he stayed four months and worked as the assistant of the leading ophthalmologist, Dr. Louise de Weckert. He easily learned the medical techniques of eye operation during his stay with the doctor.