The Department of Education (DepEd), through the Bureau of Curriculum Development-Curriculum Standards Development Division, has developed the most essential learning competencies (MELCs) to address the challenges brought about by the global pandemic. Its negative impacts on the educational system which includes but are not limited to the shortened school year, limited face-to-face interaction of teachers and learners, and other instructional delivery-related concerns pose serious problem most specifically to early childhood learners.

Thus, the MELCs ensure that all five-year-old Filipino learners achieve the content and performance standards expected of them in various learning domains. In the process of identifying the MELCs, the ENDURANCE criterion was used as the sole determiner. Endurance is defined as the learning competency that remains with learners long after a test is completed (Reeves, 2002) or is useful beyond a single test or unit of study (Many and Horrell, 2014) which is applicable to real-life situations e.g. social participation and integration.

Finally, the MELCs identified under the seven (7) developmental domains are those that work in close association with the circular themes from the Kindergarten Curriculum Guide which will be used for each lesson and activity for the week.

DOWNLOAD: Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCS) for School Year 2022-2023

How to Use the MELCs

The MELCs identified in Kindergarten may be taught repeatedly to help the learner acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and values. It is also recommended that the teacher unpack the MELCs into more specific learning competencies or objectives using the Kindergarten Curriculum Guide. The teacher may add more sub-competencies depending on the need of the learners.

Example:

Quarter 1 – Week 1

Content Standards	Performance Standards	Most Essential Learning Competencies	Sub-Competencies
Ang bata ay nagkakaroon ng pag-unawa sa sariling ugali at damdamin.	Ang bata ay nakapagpapamalas ng kakayahang kontrolin ang sariling damdamin at pag-uugali, gumawa ng desisyon at magtagumpay sa kanyang mga gawain	Nakikilala ang sarili a) pangalan at apelyido b) kasarian c) gulang/kapanganakan d) 1.4 gusto/di-gusto e) Use the proper expression in introducing oneself e.g., I am/My name is	Use the proper expression in introducing oneself e.g., I am/My name is Talk about one’s personal experiences/narrates events of the day Naipakikita ang tiwala sa sarili na tugunan ang sariling pangangailangan nang mag-isa Hal. maghugas ng kamay, kumain, magbihis, magligpit, tapusin ang gawaing nasimulan

Quarter 2 – Week 2

Content Standards	Performance Standards	Most Essential Learning Competencies	Sub-Competencies
Ang bata ay nagkakaroon ng pag-unawa sa konsepto ng pamilya, paaralan at komunidad bilang kasapi nito	Ang bata ay nakapagpapamalas ng pagmamalaki at kasiyahang makapagkuwento ng sariling karanasan bilang kabahagi ng pamilya, paaralan at komunidad	Ang bata ay nakapagpapamalas ng a) pagmamalaki at kasiyahang makapagkuwento ng sariling karanasan bilang kabahagi ng pamilya, paaralan at komunidad	Nailalarawan ang mga karanasan na may kinalaman sa pagtutulungan ng pamilya at paaralan Naikukuwento ang mga naging karanasan bilang kasapi ng komunidad Talk about family members, pets, toys, foods, or members of the community using various appropriate descriptive words

Grade Level: Kindergarten