REMOVING CLASSROOM DECORATIONS: IMPACT TO STUDENTS

JANET ALLADO- DALUSUNG

Before the issuance of DepEd Order No. 21, s. 2023, many classrooms have plain and bare walls, while others have a specific theme or a decorated one. The question is, is it a necessary to decorate a classroom? Aside from the teachers, who are the core of the learning process, acting as the best instructional material, transforming the four corners of a room into a more engaging and interesting ambiance, classroom decoration is also included as one of the many contributing factors in an effective learning process. Designing a classroom has an integral impact on students’ behavior and performance as well as to their attention, engagement, and comprehension. According to Scientific Study,2022, decorating a classroom gives a great effect to students minds and give them memorable experiences. It helps boost students’ level of concentration and learning by 16% and makes the learning process more interesting to both students and teachers. On the contrary, teachers must be careful and mindful in choosing their classroom decorations because it might be a distraction to students learning, (Tucker,2022). In line with this, the Department of Education (DepEd) under the leadership of Vice Presidents Sara Duterte orders a new directive inculcated in DepEd Order No. 21 before the opening of the School Year 2023-2024, requiring all teachers to take down classroom decorations, which claimed that it diverts students’ attention during the learning process. Furthermore, learning from my past experiences as a classroom teacher I would perceive that this New DepEd Order would not dictate the quality of learning the students might have. Removing the classroom decorations does not guarantee that it would improve or lessen students’ quality level of behavior and performance. Hence, it is essential to consider the level of learners and the diversity of learners that are inside the classroom and the types of classroom decoration the teacher would choose because it can give both positive and negative impact to students’ learning. Just for example, younger learners could benefit from classroom decoration because children can easily learn through touching, doing, and moving while junior high school students do not learn the same way. Some students appreciate visuals, posters, and other wall decorations because this helps them learn independently. However, for others, these seem to be destructive because these lessen their attention and concentration to focus on the lesson. In conclusion, to activate students’ interest to learn, it is essential that their learning environment is conducive for learning. It is not simply removing the classroom decoration but instead it is all about making the environment created intentionally for the purpose of successful learning where students have freedom to socialize, a chance to sit comfortably and a sound space for learning,

-oOoThe author is Secondary School Teacher II at Dr. Clemente N. Dayrit Sr. Memorial High School