Encouraging Learners’ Critical Thought, Balanced Behavior Using Homeroom Guidance
Mia Gail B. Samaniego
The development and application of the K to 12 Basic Education Program involved improvements and modifications of current DepEd programs to match them with the new curriculum. The K to 12 programs emphasize educating and empowering learners with skills to carry out their assignments as they advance up to Grade 12. The program takes into account the socioeconomic conditions and the development needs of the learner. They need to perform various activities, face up to personal and social problems, and finally plan to leave their program. In addition to current academic services, the responsive and constructive curriculum would meet these needs.
Given the above concerns, the Department of Education introduces the Homeroom Guidance (HG). The curriculum is important in that it encourages critical thought, balanced behavior, and an optimistic outlook. Issues such as academic setbacks, school dropouts, abuse, unhealthful sexual activity, underage pregnancy, substance use, internet, and social media use, and uncertainty in and/or bad career decisions, and other problems faced by our learners today have been considered in the development of the curriculum.
These directions have been formulated based on applicable recent literature and in collaboration with staff, school heads, and advice and counseling specialists. This would include a consistent and practical understanding of the important mechanisms involved in the development and the proper management and assessment of the initiative, which is an important aspect of its success and quality growth.
Homeroom Guidance is a proactive program that empowers learners with skills to solve problems that are not part of traditional learning but are important to their progress. Learners are expected to reduce inappropriate conduct and show optimistic attitudes towards school relative to learners who have not been part of the School Counseling Program.
At present, the Homeroom time is part of the class program, but there is a need to revise and strengthen the development protocols.
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The author is Teacher III at San Manuel Elementary School, Tarlac City