THE Department of Education (DepEd) in Cebu Province will implement the Integrated Curriculum (IC), a holistic and gender-sensitive method of teaching for Cebuano learners, in June 2019.

Cebu is the only one in Central Visayas to do so.

Cebu Provincial Schools Division Superintendent Rhea Mar Angtud said the IC approach is a customized lesson exemplar based on the experiences of students.

She said that instead of giving teachers the usual lesson plan, DepEd is training them to integrate different subject areas.

Some 48 master teachers are training for the IC. With over 270 master teachers in the province, Angtud hopes the remaining master teachers will have been trained when classes start on Monday, June 3.

She said master teachers will train teachers on how to conduct lessons, among others, in school districts.

Angtud said teachers will follow three disciplines.

In interdisciplinary, skills that will be taught are applicable in all subject areas so the learning process can be facilitated. Transdisciplinary is a project-based learning approach that requires students’ participation and exploration. In the multi-disciplinary approach, the discussion will focus on a particular theme.

“The teachers will no longer use the chalk-talk method; they will just facilitate the learning,” Angtud said.

She hopes that with this approach, students will be more active and participative in learning instead of just listening and observing.

The IC approach is anchored on gender sensitivity development, which means all students will be given equal opportunities, male and female, in all learning areas, Angtud said.

“Let’s erase the stereotyping among our students. For example, males are very good in Math, or girls are better in English,” she said.

Angtud said the new curriculum also highlights self-love and resiliency in the Values Education subject to teach students how to handle pressure because of suicide cases in the province.

It also doesn’t require additional textbooks, so parents don’t have to worry, she said.

She said students and teachers can tap an internet-based learning resource center.

Meanwhile, DepEd Assistant Secretary G.H. Ambat said Cebu Province’s initiative is a good way of maintaining the standard of education they have set.

Ambat said through IC, they can ensure that learners will actually learn and not just go to school for the sake of being present.

“Education is an investment with ensuring benefits,” she said. (JJL)