IMPROVING NUMERACY, LITERACY PROGRAMS
FERDINAND R. CUNANAN
The Department of Education (DepEd) is making the K to 12 curriculum relevant to produce job-ready, active and responsible citizens.
This starts with the improvement of literacy and numeracy programs and the integration of ‘peace competencies’ in the curriculum.
The Department will revitalize its Reading, Science and Technology, and Math programs as part of the MATATAG: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa agenda.
The revision of the K to 12 Curriculum seeks to develop lifelong learners who are imbued with 21st-century skills, discipline, and patriotism.
The number of learning areas in K to 3 from 7 to 5 will be reduced to focus on foundational skills in literacy and numeracy in the early grades, particularly among disadvantaged students.
The agency also said it will embed the culture of peace in the curriculum, which would be vital in ensuring learners would lead the promotion of peace and order in war-inflicted areas.
"Peace competencies” include social awareness, responsibility, care for the environment, value for diversity, self-esteem, positive character, resilience, and human security into the various learning areas of the K to 12 Curriculum.
DepEd likewise aims to improve English proficiency while recognizing linguistic diversity through the review of the Mother Tonguebased Multilingual Education Policy implementation.
The agency will underscore the reducing of the number of learning areas to focus on foundational skills and intensifying the values formation of learners in curriculum and teaching.
The Department will also be transparent with curriculum guides and test scores, and share test items with schools and teachers to strengthen the use of assessment.
In addition, the Department will engage with Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and industry partners to address skills mismatches of Senior High School graduates.
-oOoTHE AUTHOR IS MASTER TEACHER I AT JUSTINO SEVILLA HIGH SCHOOL, ARAYAT PAMPANGA