CATCH-UP FRIDAY; A KEY TO ERADICATE ILLITERACY

MICHAEL M. DELA CRUZ

9ice 3resident 6ara 'uterte emphasized the need for a day dedicated to catchinJ up on readinJ sNills as she announced that )ridays Zill be called ³&atch 8p´ days. 6he said the initiative Zill Jo on throuJhout the term of 3resident )erdinand ³%onJbonJ´ 0arcos.´ $ll )ridays Zill be catch up day, particularly for readinJ,´ she added. &atch up )riday, a proJram, that aims to lessen illiteracy started last -anuary , . $s the 'ep(d Juidelines says that, &atch up )ridays Zill prioritize the 1ational 5eadinJ 3roJram in the morninJ and cover values, health and peace education in the afternoon. The implementation of this proJram is to provide learners Zith the opportunity to enJaJe in independent readinJ of their preferred material. /iNeZise, this is to let students realize the siJnificance of peace and health education, core values in their lives. Teachers serve as the main instrument of the said proJram as they dedicate themselves in helpinJ the system achieve its Joal. 5eadinJ is inteJrated in their lessons for the first half of their session and core values, health and peace education in the second half. &ommitment in achievinJ the desire of most educators is evident as they prepare for their poZer point presentations and activities to be Jiven to their learners. 8nique strateJies are rendered by teachers so that students Zould not find boredom in readinJ but enMoyment and fulfillment as they realized the Zorth and purpose of readinJ and learninJ the value of education.

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The author is Teacher ,,, at &amba 1ational +iJh 6chool