by: Gina L. Pereña
Head Teacher I, Paowin Elementary School
Cavinti Sub Office, SDO Laguna
MANILA, Philippines — The pilot implementation of the new “Matatag” curriculum was “met with positivity” in schools, according to a Department of Education (DepEd) official. – Inquirer.net
Due to capacity-building exercises and orientation meetings on the new curriculum held before the first day of implementation, it was reported that instructors in participating regions were suitably prepared for the pilot implementation. Additionally, it was explained that this period of adjustment is to be expected because the goal of the pilot implementation is to track and identify areas that may require improvement or additions in order to get ready for the Matatag Curriculum to be phased across the country starting in SY 2024–2025.
In order to improve learning outcomes and give students more time to focus on core abilities, the number of competencies required of them under the new curriculum has been lowered by around 70%. And this fact is just one of the many reasons that majority of the Filipino teachers, learners and parents deem the MATATAG Curriculum to be a success. Many believe that this adjustment will not only benefit the learners, but the teachers as well. Minimized but specified competencies will give both the pupils and educators alike ample time to focus on the lessons and topics that really matter. Since the country’s education system is still under recovery from the learning gap that happened during the pandemic, intensive adjustments are essential in making sure that the Filipino learners will bounce back regarding the global competitiveness.
Another winning aspect of the MATATAG Curriculum is its initiative to focus more on the development of the Filipino learners’ literacy and numeracy skills. Since Filipino pupils have fallen behind in terms of reading, comprehension and numeracy compared to our neighboring countries, it is therefore imperative that we now give further focus in upskilling these competencies. It cannot be denied that these elements are fundamental in regards with the learners’ rudimentary skills, therefore it is indeed high time that they should be taught and administered diligently.
As the MATATAG Curriculum carries on from now until the years to come, educators all over the country are adamant that this is the change that the department direly needs. Consequently, encouragement not only from the educators but from other stakeholders as well is needed in making sure that this initiative will continue to meet the goal that it is intended for.
ADVERTISEMENT
