DepEd set to submit learning recovery plan in 2 weeks

In two weeks, the Department of Education (DepEd) is expected to submit its position paper on the proposal to suspend the regular school schedule for 8 to 12 weeks to implement an effective learning recovery program, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) said Tuesday.

During the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture hearing on Monday, the commission said DepEd welcomed House Resolution No. 1805, which aims to improve the literacy and numeracy competencies of K to 12 learners.

“We [at DepEd] welcome the resolution, your Honor. We spoke about this with the Secretary and the ExeCom. The whole DepEd is open to working with you [Congress] and EDCOM on thinking about how to operationalize this resolution,” DepEd Undersecretary Gina Gonong said.

EDCOM 2 Commissioners Rep. Roman Romulo and Rep. Jose Francisco “Kiko” Benitez filed House Resolution No. 1805, that seeks to suspend the regular academic program for eight to 12 weeks to give way to implementing an effective learning recovery program after sufficient preparations by the DepEd.

During the hearing, the commission said DepEd vowed to lead and coordinate with them on setting “realistic targets for the possible implementation of the proposed resolution,” including ensuring proper assessments of learners needing the remediation.

“DepEd is expected to submit its position paper together with the budget breakdown and costing of the proposed intervention in two weeks,” EDCOM 2 said.

Benitez earlier said there is a need to have a remediation design supported by data.

This, as the commission pointed out that DepEd has not yet issued policies on the implementation of other components of the National Learning Recovery Program (NLRP), such as the National Mathematics Program and National Science and Technology Program.

Meanwhile, EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee said the NLRP as designed may not be sufficient to meet the needs of learners.  

“We have seen challenges as to the implementation of the components of the NLRP. For example, in our visit to the learning camps, we found Grade 8 students still struggling with subtraction at the end of the camp. Today as they enter Grade 9, they will be studying quadratic equations and rational algebraic equations for 1st Quarter alone. How are they supposed to catch up on foundational skills, and even more so, in terms of grade-level competencies?” Yee asked.

In his third State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. said that the national learning recovery program “must proceed without the slightest disruption, especially in basic education.”

The President made the call, citing recent assessments which showed that more than half of learners in grades 6, 10, and 12 have failed to reach the ideal proficiency levels and scored low in information literacy, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.—RF, GMA Integrated News