Benigno V. Aldana: The Man Behind the School’s Name

By: Rodrigo P. de Vera, Jr., EdD

Teacher II, Benigno V. Aldana National High School

Pozorrubio, Pangasinan

                                                     

Dr. Benigno de Vera Aldana was the former Director of the Bureau of Public Schools.

He was the son of Dionisio Aldana and Magdalena de Vera. He finished his secondary education at Pangasinan High School, Lingayen, Pangasinan in 1916. After he graduated in high school, he enrolled at Philippine Normal School, now Philippine Normal University, where he graduated with honors in 1925. In his insatiable love of knowledge, he continued his studies at the University of the Philippines where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Education, major in English 1931. In 1933, he continued his master’s degree in Educational Administration, major in Public Schools Finance at the University of California at Berkeley, California with his thesis entitled, “Development of a Foundation Funding of Public Schools in the Philippines”. 

His career in the public school was successful. In just a few years, his promotion was quite impressive.  From being a classroom teacher, he was promoted to elementary school principal for three years until he became a Supervisor in 1926. Eventually, he became the    Division Superintendent of Schools in 1933 covering the provinces of Bukidnon and Camarines Sur. President Quezon appointed him as a technical assistant solely on budget-related matter to the Commission. In 1954, he was the adviser to the President on education. He was the Superintendent of Private Schools before he was sworn in as Deputy Director of Public Schools by President Ramon Magsaysay in 1955. In July 1957, he was elected as one of the five vice-presidents during the 20^th World Conference on Public Education held by UNESCO in Geneva, Switzerland.

His retirement from office did not stop him from working. He taught as  professor at the University of Manila, Arellano University and the National Teachers College.

Dr. Aldana authored the following books: The Curriculum of the Philippine Public School: its History and Development (1935); The Educational System of the Philippines (1949); and Public Schools in the Philippines: Its Administration and Finance.

He served and dedicated his 47 years of his life in government service! Truly, he deserved a lasting memory of his unselfish service in the government. That’s the reason why we carry his legacy and as Benignians, we are proud and great!