CHILDREN learn first at home. Their families become their very first teachers. They understand and communicate well through their own language. At young age or pre-school, children are able to understand the basics. As they enter formal schooling, they are already equipped with simple know-how.
With this, what would our role be as school teachers? We are then to polish and integrate more formal education as they spend their stay with us. We also should learn how to communicate with them… we have to learn the ways their families have started.
In consonance with the DepEd Order No. 74 S.2009, Institutionalizing Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MLE), regional directors and superintendents are enjoined to promote and encourage local participation in the following essential support systems of the MLE within the framework of School-Based Management (SBM) with the support of the local government units:
r1. Formulation of region-specific schemes to recognize and institutionalize the initiatives of school localities in bringing about and developing MLE
2. Provision of orientation and training opportunities along with exposure to successful models of MLE that have been developed
3. The utilization of Maintenance and other Operating Expenses (MOOE), school board funds, and other education improvement funds is hereby authorized for the planning and implementation of MLE programs
4. An MLE technical working group at the regional and division levels shall be established to facilitate MLE planning, monitoring and evaluation.
Related to the study of the Department of Education Region IV-B (MIMAROPA) entitled “Double Exposure in Mathematics: a Glimpse of Mother Tongue First” has provided the local validation of the fundamental observation that top performing countries in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) are those that teach and test students in science and math in their own languages.
With this move, “Lingua-Franca Project” has been established to promote proper and quality learning. Children learn better if they are spoken to their native language. What has been heard and learned at home would be successfully carried out as they speak with the same and familiar language.
This project helps school children find their way towards learning. Step by step they would understand what is to be taught to them. With the careful planning and execution of this Lingua-Franca, the Department of Education is so much assured that every child would acquire the best education which will lead to national development through gaining quality and best education.
Grace S. Sabado
Principal I
San Rafael Elem. School
Guagua East District
Division of Pampanga