By: Gemma C. Dimaculangan, Principal 1
Laiya Elementary School
San Juan East District, SDO Batangas Province
Literacy and numeracy are regard as foundation of learning. They are the basic skills need to acquire by the learners to perform complex task and attain positive learning outcome across learning areas. Literacy includes the macro skills such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening. On the other hand, numeracy is the ability to understand and utilize mathematical concepts from as simple as counting numbers to solving complex problems including real-life situations.
These basic skills have always been part of the school curriculum. However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way of teaching-learning process. From an active interaction between teachers and students in a classroom setting to a remote teaching with the utilization of varied mode of distance learning. However, these way of facilitating learning, limited the learnings of students and creates a gap in the development of their literacy and numeracy skills today. This is evident in the opening of classes with the implementation of face-to-face classes after two pandemic years. There is a call from the educators today that curriculum should go back to basics wherein the focus of teaching-learning process is mainly literacy and numeracy specially to elementary students.
In line with this, the Department of Education encouraged teachers to focus on teaching reading with comprehension, writing and numeracy. Thus, creating programs and projects to address the gaps in reading, numeracy, and other micro skills. As evident, class program includes reading and teaching of skills in numeracy in time of remedial. Teachers provides reading remediation to learners and provide ample time to enhance these basic skills among learners. Strategic interventions are utilize focusing on reading as it is vital to develop the learner skills that will be their edge in understanding different complex subject areas. From teaching sounds, phonemes, recognizing letters, syllabication, fluency and eventually reading with comprehension which begins during primary level. Teachers also integrate literacy in different subject areas for retention and development of these basic skills.
Educators also emphasized the value of numeracy on learners’ overall development. Teachers used effective strategies to teach numeracy from counting numbers, four fundamental operations, understanding word problems and answering complex math problems. Teachers can also provide interactive activity through games to enhance and motivate the learners in loving numeracy. By giving activities and repeated teaching of math concepts, learners will develop their numeracy skills with the guidance and commitment of teachers.
Development of literacy and numeracy skills in children is crucial at their younger years, thus, requires attention specially during elementary level where foundation of learning must attain. This will be their ticket in achieving success in different subject or discipline areas. Learning literacy particularly reading and numeracy is both significant as it requires an ability to comprehend. Being able to acquire knowledge and understanding on literacy and numeracy will be their edge as it is the fundamental skills needed not only in the four corners of classrooms but in making decisions that will impact one’s life.
However, going back to basics will not be successful if it will not be continued at home. The collaborative effort of the educators and the parents is essential as it will pave a way to a better learning outcome on the learners. Literacy and numeracy are basic skills that if learnt will enhance the academic progress of the learners and can help them faced the challenges in the walk of life.
