Category: Education

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Cebu City government have forged a partnership for the 2024 Palarong Pambansa. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio and Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) to ensure the intensive preparation for this year’s Palarong Pambansa in a ceremony at the Community Hall on the 9th floor of Cebu City Hall Executive Building. ‘We affirm our unwavering dedication to strengthening our support for young athletes. Our primary goal is to equip them with the necessary tools to nurture discipline, resilience, and the indomitable spirit required to pursue their athletic passions,’ Duterte said in a press release posted on the DepEd official website on Saturday. ‘The unique character and vaunted hospitality of Cebu City will make this year’s Palaro even more memorable for all our student-athletes.’ Cebu City will be hosting the prestigious annual multi-sporting event for the third time. The first was in 1954 and then in 1994. ‘We’ve been waiting for 30 years for this moment. In fact, the Cebu City Sports Center was built 30 years ago, specific to the hosting of Palarong Pambansa in Cebu City,’ Cebu City Sports Commission chairman John Pages said, noting the city’s readiness and sporting venues to be completed soon. Under the MOA, the DepEd will coordinate with Cebu City to ensure security provisions and measures, transportation, and communications provision, and other requirements for the competition. Cebu City, on the other hand, will create and convene the Local Palaro Executive Committee (LPEC) and Secretariat, and facilitate the sourcing of funds for the tournament, specifically for the construction and renovation of sports facilities, billeting quarters, and other infrastructural requirements of the Palaro host. The Palarong Pambansa, which was shelved due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, was hosted by Marikina City last year. The 2019 edition of the tournament for elementary and high school students was held in Davao City.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The Senate Committee on Finance in the Philippines has approved a funding allocation of PHP1.5 billion for the training of teachers under the ‘Matatag’ K to 10 curriculum. This decision marks a significant step in the implementation of the revised educational program, aimed at enhancing the quality of basic education in the country.

According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian stated that this allocation is part of the committee report on the PHP5.768-trillion General Appropriations Bill for 2024 (House Bill No. 8980). The ‘Matatag’ program, which stands for ‘Make the curriculum relevant to produce job-ready, Active and responsible citizens; TAke steps to accelerate the delivery of basic education services and provision facilities; TAke good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusiveness learning, and positive learning environment; and, give support for teachers to teach better,’ is set to be rolled out in phases starting in the academic year 2024-2025.

The Department of Education launched the revised curriculum on August 10, targeting Kindergarten to 10th graders. This new curriculum aims to address several challenges identified in the current K to 12 curriculums, including congested content, misplaced prerequisite learning competencies, and cognitive demand imbalance.

Senator Gatchalian, who chairs the Committee on Basic Education and earlier recommended a PHP1.7 billion budget, highlighted the importance of this funding for training approximately 200,000 teachers. He described the ‘Matatag’ K to 10 curriculums as a key initiative to improve learners’ performance.

The need for such reforms was underscored by the results of the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). This large-scale international assessment revealed that Filipino learners struggled with basic competencies, with the Philippines ranking lowest in Reading and second to the last in Mathematics and Science among 79 participating countries.

Senator Gatchalian also called on the Teacher Education Council to ensure that teacher training and education are aligned with the goals and requirements of the ‘Matatag’ curriculum, emphasizing the vital role of educators in the successful implementation of this educational reform.

Legazpi City – In a landmark move, the Department of Education in Bicol (DepEd-5) has joined hands with a wide array of higher education institutions (HEIs) and teachers’ education institutions for the implementation of learning recovery and remediation programs aimed at basic learners.

According to Philippines News Agency, this significant collaboration was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Rawis. The event saw participation from over 60 HEIs and partner non-governmental organizations (NGOs), marking a strong commitment to educational advancement in the region.

The initiative, named ‘6Bs: Bawat Batang Bicolano Bihasang Bumasa at Bumilang’ (each Bicolano child proficient in reading and writing), is designed to bolster literacy and numeracy skills among students from kindergarten to secondary level. Emphasizing the importance of a multistakeholder approach, Sadsad stated that the involvement of HEIs and TEIs is critical in recuperating the learning deficits experienced by students during the pandemic.

Elaborating on the program’s execution, DepEd-5 project development officer Ma. Cristina Barosa shared that student from tertiary education institutions will volunteer as tutors and teaching assistants to support struggling readers. The program is in the process of pinpointing key areas with high numbers of students needing assistance in reading.

The collaboration, which includes at least 60 TEIs and six NGOs, is scheduled to commence in January next year, aiming to significantly enhance the reading proficiency of learners throughout the region.

Legazpi City – In a landmark move, the Department of Education in Bicol (DepEd-5) has joined hands with a wide array of higher education institutions (HEIs) and teachers’ education institutions for the implementation of learning recovery and remediation programs aimed at basic learners.

According to Philippines News Agency, this significant collaboration was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Rawis. The event saw participation from over 60 HEIs and partner non-governmental organizations (NGOs), marking a strong commitment to educational advancement in the region.

The initiative, named ‘6Bs: Bawat Batang Bicolano Bihasang Bumasa at Bumilang’ (each Bicolano child proficient in reading and writing), is designed to bolster literacy and numeracy skills among students from kindergarten to secondary level. Emphasizing the importance of a multistakeholder approach, Sadsad stated that the involvement of HEIs and TEIs is critical in recuperating the learning deficits experienced by students during the pandemic.

Elaborating on the program’s execution, DepEd-5 project development officer Ma. Cristina Barosa shared that student from tertiary education institutions will volunteer as tutors and teaching assistants to support struggling readers. The program is in the process of pinpointing key areas with high numbers of students needing assistance in reading.

The collaboration, which includes at least 60 TEIs and six NGOs, is scheduled to commence in January next year, aiming to significantly enhance the reading proficiency of learners throughout the region.

Central Visayas, Philippines – In a significant step towards self-sufficiency, around 30,000 families in Central Visayas, previously beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), are now in the process of exiting the national government’s conditional cash transfer program. This development marks a notable transition for these families as they progress to a level of self-sufficiency.

According to Philippines News Agency, regional director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), these families have been identified as ‘non-poor’ in the Listahanan 3 database, indicating their improved economic status. The 4Ps program currently has 75,331 households enrolled in Central Visayas. The latest reassessment, utilizing the Social Welfare and Development Indicator (SWDI) tool, revealed that 26 households are at the survival level, 45,386 at the subsistence level, and 29,919 have achieved self-sufficiency.

The SWDI tool is instrumental in measuring the well-being of households in terms of economic sufficiency and social adequacy, guiding the 4Ps program in identifying necessary interventions for families to reach self-sufficiency. Lucero explained that households assessed at Levels 1 and 2 will remain in the 4Ps program, while those identified as Level 3, or self-sufficient, will begin the exit process through the 4Ps Kilos Unlad Social Case Management Strategy.

Lucero assured that families graduating from the program would continue to receive support from the DSWD, local government units (LGUs), and other partner stakeholders. These entities will provide interventions and services to help these families sustain their well-being. Furthermore, under the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2022-001 between DSWD and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), LGUs are encouraged to enact social protection ordinances complementing the 4Ps program, including post-program interventions for the graduating families.

San Juan – Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) emerged victorious in a crucial NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball game, defeating Arellano University 77-64 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Saturday.

According to Philippines News Agency, King Gurtiza, a Business Management major from Cavite, led the charge for EAC, scoring 23 points along with six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block. This victory improved EAC’s win-loss record to 8-7, positioning them in fourth place in the tournament standings.

Supporting Gurtiza’s stellar performance, Erlan Umpad contributed 12 points, six rebounds, and four blocks, while JP Maguliano and Joshua Tolentino added nine and eight points, respectively. EAC now faces a critical phase in its semifinal campaign, needing victories in its upcoming games against Jose Rizal University, Perpetual Help, and College of Saint Benilde to secure a spot in the Final Four. Arellano University, led by Jeadan Ongotan with 11 points, has now suffered its 12th loss against only two wins, placing them in seventh position. The current standings show Mapua and Lyceum tied for the lead at 11-3, followed by Saint Benilde and San Beda University. Perpetual Help and San Sebastian College-Recoletos are also in contention, highlighting the intense competition in the league.