RESPECT FOR LANGUAGE DIVERSITY

EMALYN C. DALISAY

The Department of Education enumerated various plans for achieving inclusion and respect for language diversity in basic education programs. During her speech at the Language and inciusion Summit over the week, Vice President of the Republic of the Philippines and Secretary of Education Sara Z, Duterte said the Department reaffirms its MATATAG commitments dedicated to language and inclusion to improve English proficiency while recognizing linguistic diversity. She said the agency will work towards the goal of English language proficiency within the context of a muitifingual nation. According to the Educaton Chief, the DepEd wil review the implementation of the Mother Tongue- based Multilingual Education policy guided by the principle that, among others, learners learn when taught in a language they understand. She also mentioned that DepEd would continue establishing inclusive learning resource centers to provide assisted mechanisms such as audio-assisted technology Iike braille and large-print test materials for disabled students. Moreover, the Education Secretary commited to introducing digitat textbooks for certain core subjects in Senior High Schools and coordinating with Regional Offices and partners to facititate the development of learning resources for learners with Special Needs, specificaly the visually and hearing impaired. She also appealed for the continuous support of partners and stakeholders in supporting teachers and learners in fostering a positive and non-threatening learning evironment. She said that the Department we will continue to live in the faith that education is a great enabler rather than a great divider. As any noble undertaking cannot succeed if performed singlehandedly, the Vice President is appealing to the collective efforts of stakeholders ta set sights set on an active call for inciusion, During the summit, DepEd also gathered commitments from policymakers and stakeholders to support its implementation of language and inclusion programs. Senator Loren Legarda discussed fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society, while Senator Sherwin Gatchalian rallied to support alternative and inclusive learning. The Language and Inclusion Summit also showcased an exhibit featuring various teaching and iearning materials developed and used in schools to support the delivery of language and inciuston programs. Spearheaded by the agency's Curriculum and Teaching strand, the surmmit is a two-day event designed to present empirical data on the importance of language and inclusion and to showcase initiatives on the implementation of DepEd programs, such as the Mother Tongue-based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE), Indigernous Peoples Education (1PEd), Madrasah Education Program (MEP), Special Needs Education (SNEd) and Alternative Learning System (ALS).

-oOoThe at San Vicente Elementary School, Lubao North