More relevant K-12 curriculum pressed
THE improvement of literacy and numeracy programs and the integration of “peace competencies” will be some of the priorities of the Department of Education (DEPED) to make the K to 12 curriculum relevant in producing job-ready, active and responsible citizens.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said the DEPED will revitalize its Reading, Science and Technology, and Math programs as part of the MATATAG: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa agenda.
“We will revise the K to 12 Curriculum to make them more responsive to our aspiration as a nation, to develop lifelong learners who are imbued with 21st-century skills, discipline, and patriotism,” Duterte said.
“We will reduce the number of learning areas in K to 3 from 7 to 5 to focus on foundational skills in literacy and numeracy in the early grades, particularly among disadvantaged students,” she added.
Duterte stressed that the DEPED will embed the culture of peace in the curriculum, which would be vital in ensuring learners would lead the promotion of peace and order in war-inflicted areas.
“We will integrate ‘peace competencies’ such as social awareness, responsibility, care for the environment, value for diversity, self-esteem, positive character, resilience, and human security into the various learning areas of the K to 12 Curriculum,” VP Sara pointed out.
She said the DEPED is now finalizing the review of the K to 10 curriculum while the Senior High School curriculum is currently under review.
The DEPED likewise aims to improve English proficiency while recognizing linguistic diversity through the review of the Mother Tongue-based Multilingual Education Policy implementation.
Duterte mentioned that the agency will underscore the reduction of the number of learning areas to focus on foundational skills and intensifying the values formation of learners in curriculum and teaching.
The DEPED will also be transparent with curriculum guides and test scores, and share test items with schools and teachers to strengthen the use of assessment.
In addition, the department will engage with Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and industry partners to address skills mismatches of Senior High School graduates.
