ONE STEP AT A TIME TOWARDS QUALITY EDUCATION THROUGH DEPED CATCH-UP FRIDAY

$s a teacher at a 6econdary 6chool in the 3hilippines, a country which has a low rankinJ at the 3,6$, an orJani]ation that conducts assessments in the world when it comes to Tuality education 7he 'epartment of (ducation 'ep(d in the 3hilippines issued the '0Bs B or the ,mplementation of &atch 8p )riday $ proJram of the 'epartment that aims to address concerns inYolYinJ readinJ compre hension 7he 'epartment has lonJ been committed to proYidinJ Tuality education for all, aiminJ to bridJe the Japs and ensure that eYery )ilipino child has access to learninJ opportunities +oweYer, the challenJes posed by the &29,' pandemic haYe hiJhliJhted the need for innoYatiYe solutions to address the disruptions in the education system 2ne such initiatiYe is the implementation of &atch 8p )ridays, a strateJy deYised to help students recoYer lost learninJ and cope with the effects of the pandemic 8nderstandinJ &atch 8p )ridays &atch 8p )ridays are desiJnated days within the school week where students can focus on remedial classes, additional tutorials, and enrichment actiYities aimed at addressinJ learninJ Japs 7hese )ridays proYide an opportunity for both students and teach ers to reYiew preYiously coYered material, reinforce key concepts, and enJaJe in collaboratiYe learninJ e[periences 7he initiatiYe not only aims to mitiJate the learninJ loss caused by the pandemic but also promotes a more personali]ed approach to education, caterinJ to the diYerse needs of students ,n the recent statement issued by the department last week, 0arch , , some teachers alleJedly sold learninJ materials and reTuired parents and learners to pay for the &atch up )riday files ,n the defense of the official statement of the department on the )acebook paJe of 'ep(', teachers stated that the department did not proYide learninJ materials 7hus, forcinJ them to pay out of pocket 3ersonally, the proJram¶s intention is Jood +oweYer, it still reTuires a lot of planninJ and preparation

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, at $nJeles &ity 1ational 7rade 6chool