DepEd adopts recovery program to address learning loss amid COVID-19 pandemic

The Department of Education (DepEd) has adopted a National Learning Recovery Program (NLRP) to address the learning gaps among students that were heightened by school closures and disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Based on DepEd Order 13 issued on Wednesday, the NLRP also aims to deal with the “low performance” of learners in international large-scale assessments and national assessments.

“The critical outcome of DepEd’s recovery plan is ensuring that learning gaps are addressed among all learners, particularly those who are the most vulnerable ones and those in situations of disadvantage,” the order, signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, states.

Five subprograms under the NLRP are designed to help strengthen the learning recovery, namely: National Learning Camp, National Reading Program, National Mathematics Program, National Science and Technology Program, and other programs implemented by the central office and field offices.

According to DepEd, the National Learning Camp is a voluntary end-of-school year break program designed to improve learning through enhancement, consolidation or intervention camps in all learning areas for K to 12 learners; and enhance teacher capacity.

The National Reading Program promotes literacy development through the foundations of reading skills development in the early grades, while the National Mathematics Program promotes better numeracy and mathematics learning in schools across all grade levels.

The National Science and Technology Program, on the other hand, targets the development of scientific and technological literacy of Grades 4-10 learners.

DepEd said a research agenda will be developed by its research committee, in collaboration with research institutions, to improve the NLRP implementation.

In 2022, Duterte admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic's negative impact on the education of Filipino children was “enormous.”

She attributed the learning losses, specifically among younger children, to the sudden shift to remote learning modes at the height of pandemic.

Duterte also emphasized the need to avert the further deterioration of Philippine education, saying that the next two to three years will be a critical period for the reforms to the education system under her leadership.

In January, DepEd launched its MATATAG agenda which aims to implement resilient reforms in the curriculum, education services, and provision of facilities, learner wellbeing, and teacher support programs. —KBK, GMA Integrated News