CREATING A “MORE STABLE” EDUCATION FOR FILIPINO LEARNERS
RICHARD M. PAYAWAL
Because of the catastrophic COVID-19 related learning gaps, Filipino learners have missed a lot of learning opportunities. Even the most basic learning competencies were beyond the reach of some of them. Unfortunately, a number of young students were still having trouble understanding the foundational concepts of reading, writing, and basic math.
To address the learning gaps and challenges in the current K-12 Curriculum, the Department of Education, under the leadership of Vice President and concurrent DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte, has launched the MATATAG Agenda to recalibrate the K-10 program.
The word MATATAG stands for MAking the curriculum relevant to produce job-ready, active, and responsible citizens; TAking steps to accelerate the delivery of basic education services and provision facilities; TAke good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusiveness learning, and positive learning environment; and ?Giving support for teachers to teach better.
Furthermore, the MATATAG curriculum was thoughtfully designed and is currently prepared for progressive adoption to clear out the congested curriculum that caused learners' basic skills to be compromised. Additionally, it aims to enhance learners' development of values and reinforce fundamental skills like literacy and numeracy.
The five fundamental skills included in this new curriculum are language, reading and literacy, arithmetic, makabansa, and appropriate behavior and manners. For students to thrive in the workplace and in life in the twenty-first century, these abilities are crucial.
The Department is hopeful that the Philippines' basic education system can be made better and more relevant with the help of this new curriculum. If this is accomplished, Filipino learners will experience a more stable education, which will enable them to participate in nation-building and be ready for the future.
-oOoThe author is Master Teacher I at Pasig National High School