10 Point Basic Education Agenda

The principles of the current administration on education are guided by the 10 Point Basic Education Agenda:

1. A 12-year basic education cycle

The implementation of the K to 12 Program will be phased to make the country’s education system at par with international standards. Under this program, Universal kindergarten is already being offered last SY 2011-2012. In 2012, the enhanced curriculum was offered to incoming Grade 1 as well as to incoming junior high school students.

The activities currently being undertaken to support the implementation of the K to 12 Program are Curriculum Development; Legislation at the House of Representatives and the Senate; Research Studies; Advocacy; and Transition Management with the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

2. Universal Pre-schooling for all

Universal Kindergarten offered in SY 2011-2012, with a budget allocation of P2.3 billion.

The Kindergarten curriculum adapts a thematic approach, focused on the following domains: Values Education, Physical Health and Motor Development, Social and Emotional Development, Cognitive Development, Creative Arts, Language and Readiness for Reading and Writing & Language, Literacy and Communications.

3. Establish the Madaris Education as a sub-system in the current education system

The Kindergarten Madrasah Curriculum has been developed and will be piloted in selected schools in August 2011. The Refined Elementary Madrasah Curriculum (REMC) being implemented in SY 2011-2012 and the instructional learning materials is undergoing review.

The development of the Secondary Madrasah Curriculum is on its final stage. The instructional learning materials for Islamic Values, English and Arabic Translations are being developed.

4. Re-introduce technical and vocational education in public high schools.

Techvoc curricula for Grades 11 & 12 are being developed as part of the K to 12 Program.

There are 282 techvoc high schools nationwide specializing in Arts and Trade, Agriculture, and Fishery.

Ongoing upgrade and maintenance of laboratory workshops and other facilities.

5. Every child a reader by Grade 1

Ongoing implementation of the Every Child a Reader Program (ECARP).

In 2010, Reading Recovery (RR) was added to ECARP. This new component gives children beginning to fall behind in reading and writing a second chance. It identifies children having difficulty early so that specialized one-on-one assistance from a teacher trained in RR is provided. The pilot implementation started in 2010-2011 in Regions NCR,
V, VI and XI.

6. Improve science and mathematics

The Science & Technology-Oriented High School (ESEP) Program is one of the flagship programs for the development of Science, Mathematics and research. ESEP was initially implemented in 112 public secondary schools nationwide. In 2010, the program was expanded to 86 secondary to schools. To date, there are 198 schools under ESEP and 100 Special Science Elementary High Schools.

There is also ongoing and continuous training of teachers in Math and Science.

7. Expand government assistance to private education

DepEd implements the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) to support the schooling of secondary school children in private schools. The GASTPE program is aimed at democratizing and improving access to quality secondary education through government extension of financial assistance to deserving elementary school graduates who wish to pursue their secondary education in private schools. It is geared towards reducing class size to manageable levels in public high schools, especially those experiencing shortage of classrooms and teachers. Thus, through GASTPE, the government is able to decongest public secondary schools.

This SY, the number of beneficiaries were increased to 757,000 under GASTPE education service contracting scheme.

Beneficiaries outside Metro Manila also received increase in subsidy from P5,000 to P5,500.

8. Use of mother-language instruction

A series of trainings are being conducted for trainers and teachers on Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education. Instructional materials in major languages (Tagalog, Ilokano, Pangasinense, Bikolano, Kapampangan, Hiligaynon, Bisaya & Waray) have been developed.

9. Better textbooks

DepEd is continuing efforts to improve the screening and selection process of textbook evaluators.

Orientation seminars conducted for authors, publishers, editors, illustrators, book designers and other stakeholders developing textbooks and teacher’s manuals for public school use.

Ongoing participation of more than 40 civil society organizations, local government units, Parent-Teacher Associations, other civic and church organizations, institutions, and foundation in the National Textbook Delivery Program.

10. Build more schools in cooperation with LGUs

Established in early 2011, the Counter-Parting for Classroom, Construction Program calls on local government units (LGUs) to participate in the provision of new classrooms to schools.

To date, a total of 17 LGUs have signed counter-parting agreements with DepEd with a total funding of over P1 billion for the building of over 1,200 classrooms.

Read:

1. DM 342, s. 2009 – Adoption And Implementation Of A Citizen’S Charter Of The Department Of Education In Compliance With Republic Act No. 9485 (Anti-Red Tape Act Of 2007) And Its Implementing Rules And Regulations
2. Guidelines on School-Based Management (SBM) Grants
3. A Comprehensive Guide to School-Based Management (SBM)
4. Computation of Public Schools MOOE
5. Guidelines on the Direct Release of Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE)