STARTING this coming school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) will include chess in the regular curriculum of elementary and secondary students all over the country.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said that chess will be included in the Edukasyon sa Pagpapalakas ng Katawan subject of Grade III to VI and in the Physical Education classes of those in high school.

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“Global studies have shown that chess is a game that improves individual organizational and analytical skills. Children when exposed to this game at an early age achieve academically better or even faster than those who have not been engaged in said game,” Lapus said.

“Likewise, chess is among the activities that help build memory skills, concentration, self-confidence, self-esteem and in making disciplined decisions,” he added.

The education chief has ordered school divisions to look for experts in their areas that could serve as mentors for the students and to purchase chess sets for their use.

Under the overall program contained in DepEd Memorandum Order no. 1-2009 directed school divisions for the training of supervisors, principals or teachers who will mentor other teachers about the game.

The division will also monitor and evaluate the social effects of chess on children.

The DepEd regional offices will monitor the use of chess as a strategy to develop higher orders skills and values and to provide technical assistance. The DepEd central office in turn will formulate guidelines, manuals or lesson exemplars on the use of chess and track the program’s impact on students.

To underscore the importance of the program, DepEd will sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) Thursday, with the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) for the training of chess coordinators, coaches and arbiters, and the establishment of the National Chess Academy (NCA).

Aside from Lapus, also expected to attend the signing ceremony to be held at the DepEd central office in Pasig City were President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and NCFP president Prospero Pichay. (AH/Sunnex)