We applaud the Department of Education (DepEd) response to the clamor to decongest basic education and incorporate peace education through the implementation of the Matatag curriculum by SY 2024-2025.
Dati pa po namang napapansin na may problema tayo lalo na sa primary grades dahil talagang congested po ito (It has been noticed before that we have a problem especially in the primary grades because it is really congested). At least the DepEd recognized the problem and provided a possible remedy to decongest it.
During Matatag’s launch last Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, the DepEd initially announced that there would only be five subjects for Grades 1 and 2; six subjects for Grade 3; and eight subjects for Grades 4 to 10. Each of these levels has its own Good Manners and Right Conduct or Values Education subject.
Wala pa rin tayong mga detalye, gayunman naniniwala kami na may panahon pa naman ang DepEd para ito ay maisaayos at sanayin ang mga guro para sa pagpapatupad nito (We still do not have the details, however we believe that DepEd still has time to organize it and train teachers for its implementation).
The merging of concepts previously taught in Araling Panlipunan and Mapeh under the label Makabansa may also lead to congestion of that particular subject since the two separate subjects were already made up of several components. Thus, the DepEd would need a thorough implementation plan as regards to resources, class schedules, and teacher specialization for the new subject.
Another suggestion was to reinstate Philippine history as a separate subject in high school and integrate it into every subject at all levels.
Maganda yung deklarasyon ng DepEd na ituturo sa ilalim ng Matatag ang pagmamahal sa bayan, pagtataguyod sa kapayapaan, pagiging responsableng mamamayan at pagpapahalaga sa sariling kultura at sining. Subalit tila nalimutang tugunan ang matagal nang panawagan ng mga guro, historyador at akademiko, ang pagpapanumbalik ng Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas bilang isang hiwalay na asignatura (DepEd’s declaration that teaching love for the country, promoting peace, being a responsible citizen and valuing one’s own culture under Matatag is good. But it seems that they forgot to respond to the long-standing call of teachers, historians and academics to restore the teaching of Philippine History as a separate subject).
Finally, while we appreciate the DepEd for taking the bold step of changing the current curriculum, which undoubtedly affects children’s learning, we believe there are numerous factors to address the country’s education system’s existing problems, including its framework and orientation, adequate physical facilities, quality instructional materials, and, most importantly, highly motivated and well-paid teachers.
Kahit anong gawin nating reporma sa kurikulum kung hindi naman naiaayos ang kalagayan ng mga guro ay hindi pa rin mareresolba ang mga problema sa edukasyon (No matter what we do to reform the curriculum, if the condition of the teachers is not fixed, the problems in education will not be solved). This positive step should be coupled with policies that impact teachers’ rights and welfare, such as their compensation and incentives, as well as other measures to promote the socio-economic welfare of teachers, the single most important factor in the learning process.
We call on Congress to enact the pay increase for public school teachers among other benefits.