CATCH-UP FRIDAYS, A SOLUTION

ANGELITA L. DABU

The alarming result of the country in 2022 Program for International Student Assestment (PISA) where in Philippines rank 76th in mathematics and rank 79th in reading compared to 81 countries, create a serious study to education leaders. This is one of the reasons on the release of Department Education Memorandum No.001, s. 2024 dated January 10, 2024 which is the Implementation of Catch-Up Fridays. In this memorandum, the department assure that the basic education priorities articulated in the MATATAG Agenda and achieving the education target in academic performance. It was also mentioned in this order that Catch-up Fridays is a learning mechanism intended to strengthen the foundational, social, and other relevant skills necessary to actualize the intent of the basic education curriculum. Class programs, suggested activities and strategies in reading enhancement have been discussed and employed to the education leaders especially to teachers for the implementations and reinforced individual progress for every learners when it comes to reading and writing stories, journals, essays and other forms of creative expression based on the learning experiences of the learners. Teachers may used the strategies during the Catch-Up Fridays such as Drop Everything and Read (DEAR), Teacher Read-Aloud, Book Talk, Choral Reading, Partner Reading, Read-a-thon. The implementation of Catch-up Fridays started last January 12, 2024 across Elementary and Secondary schools nationwide until the all Fridays of the school year calendar. With this implementation teachers, school heads, parents and education leaders and authorities believed and hoping that this Chatch-Up Fridays will be one of the best solution in addressing the learning gaps in education and strengthening the reading proficiency of every learner.

-oOoThe

-III at Bulacus Elementary School

author is Teacher