The team of the Bureau of Learning Delivery (BLD) of the Department of Education Central Office conducted the regional orientation of the recalibrated Matatag K to 10 Basic Education Curriculum for the pilot schools in the Cordillera.
BLD Director Marilyn B. Siao headed the team from the Teaching and Learning Division composed of specialists in the learning disciplines of the basic education program as resource speakers.
Siao said, “Quality learning is contingent to quality teaching and quality teaching is contingent to quality school leader.”
She added school leaders are accountable for the results of the implementation of the Matatag program because they are the key factors in the motivation and inspiration of teachers, so they should also be compassionate leaders.
The consolidated reports in the pilot implementation of the Matatag Program nationwide will be the bases of supports needed in the future phase implementation of the program at a larger scale in the coming school years.
Among the topics in the orientation include the basic features of the Matatag Curriculum Program; the changes of time allotment and reduced number of learning competencies with focus on the literacy and numeracy skills; and the Matatag Curriculum as a Peace Education or a road map to peace and development in the country.
Also discussed were the fundamental skills with emphasis on life and career skills to ensure the learners’ readiness to face life and become successful in life as a global citizen; capacity building of teachers or empowering the teachers for effective delivery of the program; policies on the conduct of collaborative expertise mechanism in which teachers shall have time to share their expertise, experiences, teaching and learning gaps, and other issues during the implementation of the revised basic education program to be addressed among the concerned school staff through the leadership of the school head.
The participants were also lectured on pedagogy and lesson exemplars; inclusive education and its integration in the Matatag curriculum; Indigenous Peoples Education and its integration in the program; and the support and accountability of school leaders for the successful implementation of the program.
Participants in the three-day orientation include the teachers teaching in the kinder, grades one; four; and seven from the selected pilot schools in the region that include: Kalafug Elementary School, Apayao; Lam-ayan Integrated School,Benguet; Rizal Elementary School, Baguio City; Bineng National High School, Benguet; and Dona Aurora National High School in Baguio City.
They were accompanied by DepEd-Cordillera Assistant Regional Director Ronald B. Castillo with the heads of the schools, schools division superintendents, and supervisors. – Ben A. Bentican
