by: Ann Loraine P. Ramillete
Teacher II, Liliw Central Elementary School
Liliw Sub-Office, SDO Laguna
MANILA – The Department of Education has announced that the first day of the pilot implementation of the MATATAG K to 10 Curriculum was positively met. – PNA.gov.net
The MATATAG Curriculum, which was formally introduced last August 2023, aims to simplify the current K–12 Curriculum by concentrating more on the development of fundamental skills like literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional abilities in students in kindergarten through third grade.
35 schools throughout seven regions—Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Visayas, Soccsksargen, Cordillera Administrative Region, Caraga, and the National Capital Region—first adopted the revised basic education curriculum. In an interview, Vice President and and former Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte stated that the MATATAG K–10 Curriculum pilot program is a prelude to its progressive implementation the following years. MATATAG emphasizes on fundamental subjects including language, reading and literacy, math, nationality, or makabansa, as well as proper behavior and manners. The National Reading Program (NRP) and the National Mathematics Program (NMP) are two extra programs included in the curriculum that are meant to be completed for 30 minutes a day for four days.
There are rumors that the strict schedule prevented upper management personnel from reviewing and implementing modifications to the workload for teachers. At that point, the burden for teachers had already been decided upon and allocated. NMP facilitators should be math teachers, and NRP facilitators should be either English or Filipino teachers, according to DepEd Order No. 10, which also specifies that NMP and NRP facilitators should “demonstrate mastery of the subject matter or in their specialization across the curriculum.” This issue is just one of the many things that worries teachers all over the country. Some are still feeling like walking on eggshells since the burden of the success of the implementation of the MATATAG curriculum ultimately falls on their shoulders.
Other new concerns are emerging with the continuous implementation of the new curriculum, which adds to the long list of enduring issues that DepEd and its new head need to address. But, teachers and parents alike are positive that these issues would be addressed in the near future so that better equipped learners will be produced in the days to come.
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