QUEZON CITY— MATATAG: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa agenda of the Department of Education (DepEd) to bring new direction in resolving the country’s basic education challenges.
Highlighted during the Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte’s Basic Education Report (BER) 2023 are the challenges and accomplishments of the Department, before unveiling the new agenda for basic education.
“We will rally for an improved learning system in the country. Together, we will rally for every Filipino child. Para sa isang MATATAG na Bayan. Para sa ating mahal na Pilipinas,” Duterte emphasized.
According to the Education Secretary, MATATAG agenda will have four critical components.
1. MAke the curriculum relevant to produce competent and job-ready, active, and responsible citizens is the first component that will ensure a more strengthened literacy and numeracy programs.
“We will reduce the number of learning areas in K to 3 from 7 to 5 to focus on foundational skills in literacy and numeracy in the early grades, particularly among disadvantaged students,” she said.
2. TAke steps to accelerate the delivery of basic education facilities and services is the second component that plans to build more resilient schools and classrooms in 2023, the allocated budget will build around 6,000 classrooms.
3. TAke good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusive education, and a positive learning environment is the third component that will undertake initiatives to provide schooling to many more children and youth in situations of disadvantage, regardless of gender, abilities, psycho-emotional and physical conditions, cultural and religious identity, and socio-economic standing.
“We will work with legislators and local government units through the Literacy Coordinating Council to eradicate illiteracy at the city, municipal, and barangay levels through relevant policy issuances, and community literacy program interventions,” Duterte explained.
4. Give support to teachers to teach better. This is in terms of innovative, responsive, and inclusive teaching approaches following the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST).
“We will capacitate our teachers and learners in utilizing technology in remote learning to maximize the benefits of digital learning,” she added.
Meanwhile, Duterte stressed as well in her speech that, “Improving access, equity, equality, resiliency, and well-being will not happen overnight, nor it can be done by DepEd alone. We need a national commitment and sustained effort from all sectors of the society”. (JLB/PIA-PMD)
