Mariano Villaronga-Toro
Encyclopedia
Mariano Villaronga-Toro was a Puerto Rican
educator and Commissioner of Public Instruction in Puerto Rico
from 1946 to 1957. Under his leadership as Commissioner of Public Instruction, three major institutions that still stand today were put in place: the Department Press, the public radio and television educational service, and the Free School of Music. Most importantly, during his tenure Spanish was adopted as the official language of instruction in all levels of the Puerto Rico public education system, displacing instruction in English which had been pushed by the previous governments of Puerto Rico under US
-appointed colonial governors.
on November 9, 1906. He came from well-regarded families in Ponce: the Villaronga family is best known today for the Casa Wiechers-Villaronga
, a national landmark in downtown Ponce, and the Armstrong-Toro family, progenitors of Thomas Armstrong Toro, after who a major high school in Ponce is named, is best remembered for its Armstrong-Poventud Residence
, another national landmark also in downtown Ponce.
in 1925 and received his B.S. in science from the University of Puerto Rico
in 1929. After graduating from UPR, Villaronga went to work as a teacher in the Puerto Rico public school system. A few years later, in 1935, he became school principal at his alma mater
. After these early experiences as an educator and public servant, Villaronga earned a masters degree in Education from Harvard University
. Upon his return to Puerto Rico
, he joined the faculty at the University of Puerto Rico
. In 1943, he became head of the Department of General Studies there.
In 1946, the political leadership of the Popular Democratic Party
recommended Villaronga for commissioner of Public Instruction, a post that at that time was appointed by the President of the United States
. In the U.S. Senate hearings, however, Villaronga remained firm in his position in favor of using Spanish as the language of instruction in Puerto Rico, which cost him the Senate confirmation. The educational policy on the island, since the arrival of the United States, had established English as the language of public education to contribute to a process of Americanization
of the Puerto Rican people
.
In 1948, however, Luis Muñoz Marín
, the first popularly-elected governor, named Mariano Villaronga Commissioner of Public Instruction. He was quickly confirmed by the Puerto Rican Senate
. In August 1949, Muñoz issued an executive order that all teaching would be done in Spanish at all levels in the public education system and that English would be offered as a special subject. In 1952, when the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico was formed, Villaronga was designated secretary of Public Instruction, a position he held until 1957.
Television, was the first educational television station in Latin America.
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
educator and Commissioner of Public Instruction in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
from 1946 to 1957. Under his leadership as Commissioner of Public Instruction, three major institutions that still stand today were put in place: the Department Press, the public radio and television educational service, and the Free School of Music. Most importantly, during his tenure Spanish was adopted as the official language of instruction in all levels of the Puerto Rico public education system, displacing instruction in English which had been pushed by the previous governments of Puerto Rico under US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-appointed colonial governors.
Early years
Mariano Villaronga-Toro was born in Ponce, Puerto RicoPonce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
on November 9, 1906. He came from well-regarded families in Ponce: the Villaronga family is best known today for the Casa Wiechers-Villaronga
Casa Wiechers-Villaronga
The Casa Wiechers-Villaronga is a Neo-classical style mansion in Ponce, Puerto Rico designed and built in the early twentieth century. The house was acquired and restored by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and now operates as the Museum of Puerto Rican Architecture. The house sits in the...
, a national landmark in downtown Ponce, and the Armstrong-Toro family, progenitors of Thomas Armstrong Toro, after who a major high school in Ponce is named, is best remembered for its Armstrong-Poventud Residence
Armstrong-Poventud Residence
Residencia Armstrong-Poventud is a historic building located in the Ponce Historic Zone in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The construction of this home set the stage for the construction of other homes of similar architectural elements, character and opulence in turn-of-the-twentieth-century Ponce...
, another national landmark also in downtown Ponce.
Training
Villaronga Toro graduated from Ponce High SchoolPonce High School
The Ponce High School is public educational institution in Ponce, Puerto Rico, offering grades ten through twelve. The school's main building is a historic structure located on Cristina Street, in the Ponce Historic Zone. From its beginning the school has secured a unique place in Puerto Rico's...
in 1925 and received his B.S. in science from the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
in 1929. After graduating from UPR, Villaronga went to work as a teacher in the Puerto Rico public school system. A few years later, in 1935, he became school principal at his alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
. After these early experiences as an educator and public servant, Villaronga earned a masters degree in Education from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. Upon his return to Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, he joined the faculty at the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
. In 1943, he became head of the Department of General Studies there.
Spanish language instruction pioneer
While a man of many talents, Villaronga Toro is mostly remembered for having established, in 1949 and while Commissioner of Public Instruction, the educational language policy of using Spanish as the instructional medium for all school years, with English being taught only as a special subject.In 1946, the political leadership of the Popular Democratic Party
Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
The Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that supports Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and sovereignty, through the enhancement of Puerto Rico's current status as a commonwealth....
recommended Villaronga for commissioner of Public Instruction, a post that at that time was appointed by the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. In the U.S. Senate hearings, however, Villaronga remained firm in his position in favor of using Spanish as the language of instruction in Puerto Rico, which cost him the Senate confirmation. The educational policy on the island, since the arrival of the United States, had established English as the language of public education to contribute to a process of Americanization
Americanization
Americanization is the influence of the United States on the popular culture, technology, business practices, or political techniques of other countries. The term has been used since at least 1907. Inside the U.S...
of the Puerto Rican people
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
.
In 1948, however, Luis Muñoz Marín
Luis Muñoz Marín
Don José Luis Alberto Muñoz Marín was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist, and politician. Regarded as the "father of modern Puerto Rico," he was the first democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico. Muñoz Marín was the son of Luis Muñoz Rivera, a renowned autonomist leader...
, the first popularly-elected governor, named Mariano Villaronga Commissioner of Public Instruction. He was quickly confirmed by the Puerto Rican Senate
Senate of Puerto Rico
The Senate of Puerto Rico is the upper house of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the territorial legislature of Puerto Rico. The Senate is composed of 27 senators, representing eight constituent senatorial districts across the commonwealth, with two senators elected per district; an...
. In August 1949, Muñoz issued an executive order that all teaching would be done in Spanish at all levels in the public education system and that English would be offered as a special subject. In 1952, when the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico was formed, Villaronga was designated secretary of Public Instruction, a position he held until 1957.
Spanish educational television pioneer
Under his direction, the groundwork was laid for the establishment of an educational public television network in Puerto Rico. The actual rollout occurred in 1958, two years after Villaronga had left office. The system, WIPRWIPR-TV
WIPR-TV is an non-commercial educational, full-power public television station located in San Juan, Puerto Rico transmitting over analog channel 6, digital 43. The station is owned and operated by Corporación de Puerto Rico para la Difusión Pública ...
Television, was the first educational television station in Latin America.
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- List of Puerto Ricans
- Education in Puerto RicoEducation in Puerto RicoEducation in Puerto Rico is overseen by the Department of Education of Puerto Rico under the Government of Puerto Rico, which provides primary and secondary school education....
- Photo of Villaronga-Toro sitting next to Gov. Muñoz Marín in Costa Rica
- Photo of Villaronga-Toro (center) during the ceremony of delivery of a library-on-wheels
- Photo of Villaronga-Toro (sitting, 1st from the right) posing for a picture of Gov. Muñoz Marín and his Cabinet