Teachers dismayed over law removing mother tongue in K-3

Several teachers groups expressed concern over the new policy that discontinued the use of the mother tongue as a medium of instruction from Kindergarten to Grade 3.

For the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), the new law may “further detract” from resolving the education crisis and correcting the flaws in the curriculum.

“The development of foundational literacy skills should be ensured in the primary grades. However, the new law discontinuing the use of the mother tongue as medium of instruction from Kindergarten to Grade 3 runs counter to this objective,” ACT chairperson Vladimer Quetua said in a statement.

“The teaching of Mother Tongue as a subject is foundational in developing literacy skills as learners can learn to read and write the easiest with the language that they use and most understand. Mother Tongue also enhances the awareness and appreciation of learners of their cultural identity, and preserves and nurtures our own culture,” he added.

The proposed measure which seeks to cease the use of mother tongue for Kindergarten to Grade 3 and provide for its optional implementation in monolingual classes lapsed into law on Saturday without President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s signature. It is now referred to as Republic Act No. 12027.

With RA No. 12027, the medium of instruction shall revert to Filipino and, until otherwise provided by law, English.

Meanwhile, the regional languages shall serve as auxiliary media of instruction.

However, citing the Department of Education, Quetua argued that mother tongue as the first language of instruction “would allow students to develop a strong foundation in their native languages before adding additional languages.”

“Kulang na kulang ang suporta at pagsisikap para magkaroon ng mga materyales sa lokal na wika at pambansang wika. Kung gusto nating ma-facilitate at mapabilis ang pagkatuto at pag-intindi ng mga mag-aaral, dapat palakasin ang paggamit ng mga lokal na lenggwahe at ang ating pambansang wika na Filipino sa edukasyon,” he said.

(There's a lack of support and efforts to produce learning materials in the mother tongue and the national language. If we want to facilitate and expedite the learning and understanding of learners, then we should strengthen the use of mother tongue and Filipino in education.)

“Dapat din itong iinstitusyonalisa at laanan ng karampatang pondo," Quetua added.

(This should also be institutionalized and be given adequate funds.)

The Teachers' Dignity Coalition, on the other hand, said that it is better to teach learners in their first few years in school using their mother tongue.

“Mas mainam na ‘yung bata ay turuan doon sa key stage, doon sa first years of schooling sa kanyang sariling lenggwahe. Dahil nga rito, medyo nakakalungkot,” TDC chairperson Benjo Basas said, according to a report on Unang Balita on Monday.

(It’s better to teach a child during the key stage—in his/her first years of schooling in his own language. This law is a bit saddening.)

Republic Act No. 12027 amended Sections 4 and 5 of the Republic Act No. 10533 otherwise known as the "Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013."

It will take effect on October 27, or 15 days following its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general curriculum.

The new law was both signed by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

House Basic Education Committee Chairperson and Pasig lawmaker Roman Romulo on Sunday said that the law discontinuing the use of the mother tongue as a medium of instruction from Kindergarten to Grade 3 could help improve the quality of education in the country.

In an ambush interview, the House leader underscored the importance of ensuring that education is being delivered through languages that are most familiar to the learners.

“‘Yung pag-lift ng mandatory nature ng mother tongue, ‘pag inisip natin mahalaga siya. Bakit? Kasi sa Pilipinas po, we have about 180 languages, ‘di ba? And then we have 19 major languages,” he said.

(The lifting of the mandatory nature of the mother tongue is important. Why? Because in the Philippines, we have about 180 languages and we have 19 major languages.)

“Sa totoo, kung sana, ay medyo mas konti, medyo monolingual tayo, maaaring maganda sana.  Pero sa dami po natin lengwahe, kailangan natin siguraduhin na ‘yung quality of education makamit natin,” he added.

(Actually, if we have fewer languages and we’re a bit monolingual, it would have been good.  But with our many languages, we need to make sure that we still achieve quality of education.) —KG, GMA Integrated News