CATCHING UP ON WORDS: HOW DEPED'S "CATCH-UP FRIDAYS" ARE BOOSTING READING IN THE PHILIPPINES

Imagine a Friday transformed from regular classes to a vibrant world of words. That's the reality for Filipino students participating in DepEd's "Catch-up Fridays," a unique initiative launched to address gaps in foundational skills, particularly in reading. Every Friday throughout the school year, classrooms across the country dedicate the day to reinforcing essential reading skills. The first half kicks off with "Drop Everything and Read" (DEAR) sessions, encouraging independent reading in diverse formats – novels, comics, even online resources. Beyond just quiet time with a book, Catch-up Fridays incorporate book clubs, storytelling activities, and author visits to spark curiosity and ignite a love for reading. The program recognizes the crucial role of strong reading skills as the bedrock of learning. It's not just about fluency and comprehension; it's about unlocking critical thinking, fostering a thirst for knowledge, and empowering students to become lifelong learners. However, challenges remain. Balancing the program with teachers' already demanding workload, ensuring accessibility to diverse reading materials across different locations and backgrounds, and developing a robust system to track progress are all hurdles that need to be tackled. Despite these challenges, Catch-up Fridays offer a beacon of hope. By providing dedicated time, engaging activities, and personalized support, the program has the potential to turn a page in the Philippines' education story. By making Catch-up Fridays a platform for open discussion, collaboration, and continuous improvement, we can ensure that this initiative truly becomes a catalyst for change in the Philippines' reading landscape, one chapter at a time.

-oOoThe author is Teacher III at Atlu Bola National High School