The seal of the Department of Education (DepEd) is a sacred mark that both illustrates what the organization stands for and what distinguishes it from other Philippine government offices.
Symbolism:
SHIELD- represents a harmonious partnership with other government agencies and organizations to support the implementation of the Department's programs, projects and activities
PHILIPPINE MAP- represents the dominion on which the Department provides and governs quality basic education
TORCH with RAYS- represents the burning desire for learning and good governance of the DepEd
CREST with TORSE- represents an institution of basic education that cares and nurtures the steadfast quest for knowledge and the practice of values and skills inculcated in every Filipino through education, collaboration, leadership and excellence
The official colors, as taken from the Philippine flag:
BLUE
Cable No. 80173
RGB- R9 G70 B132
CMYK- C100 M75 Y19 K5
Pantone- 288 C
Hex triplet- #094684
YELLOW
Cable No. 80068
RGB- R240 G181 B13
CMYK- C6 M31 Y95 K0
Pantone- 124 C
Hex triplet- #f0b50d
RED
Cable No. 80108
RGB- R220 G8 B44
CMYK- C5 M100 Y81 K1
Pantone- 186 C
Hex triplet- #dc082c
### History of the Department of Education (DepEd)
The Department of Education in the Philippines has a rich historical background that dates back to pre-Spanish times. Education in the country has evolved through different stages, from informal and unstructured methods to the establishment of formal educational systems under Spanish and American colonization. Here are some key points from the history of the Department of Education:
- **Pre-Spanish Education:** Education was informal, vocational, and less academic before Spanish colonization.
- **Spanish Colonization:** The Spanish missionaries replaced tribal tutors, making education religion-oriented and primarily for the elite.
- **American Rule:** The American forces introduced a free and compulsory elementary education system, emphasizing English as the medium of instruction.
- **Department Evolution:** The Department underwent several name changes and structural reforms over the years, culminating in the current Department of Education (DepEd) under Republic Act 9155 in 2001.
### List of Secretaries of Education
- **1863**: Superior Commission of Primary Instruction - Chairman
- **1901-1916**: Department of Public Instruction - General Superintendent
- **1916-1942**: Department of Public Instruction - Secretary
- **1942-1944**: Department of Education, Health, and Public Welfare - Commissioner
- **1944**: Department of Education, Health, and Public Welfare - Minister
- **1944**: Department of Public Instruction - Secretary
- **1945-1946**: Department of Public Instruction and Information - Secretary
- **1946-1947**: Department of Instruction - Secretary
- **1947-1975**: Department of Education - Secretary
- **1975-1978**: Department of Education and Culture - Secretary
- **1978-1984**: Ministry of Education and Culture - Minister
- **1984-1986**: Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sports - Minister
- **1987-1994**: Department of Education, Culture, and Sports - Secretary
- **1994-2001**: Department of Education, Culture, and Sports - Secretary
- **2001-present**: Department of Education - Secretary
This timeline reflects the evolution and leadership changes in the Department of Education in the Philippines over the years.