'Decongested' K-10 curriculum launched --- By Red Mendoza --- Maniola Times

THE Department of Education (DepEd) has launched a new "decongested" curriculum that will focus on key competencies and foundational skills for learners from Kinder to Grade 10. Called the Matatag K-10 (Kinder to Grade 10), the revised basic education curriculum will focus on literacy and numeracy skills, reduce the number of learning competencies, balance cognitive demands, which will focus on higher-level thinking skills, clearer articulation of 21st century skills, intensify values education, strengthen peace education, and make it at par with international standards. DepEd Bureau of Curriculum Development director Jocelyn Andaya said at a press briefing on Thursday that "70 percent of the current curriculum had been taken out of the new curriculum simply because there are competencies that repeat; there are competencies that are only 'nice to know,' but are not a 'must to know,' that is why we are aiming for essential learning competencies." Key features of the Matatag curriculum include the removal of Mother Tongue-based subjects in the first grade, which will be replaced by five core subjects in Grade 1, which will focus on literacy and numeracy. "These learning areas have been deliberately crafted, not just simply merging or integrating the existing learning areas," Andaya said. DepEd spokesman Undersecretary Michael Wesley Poa clarified that the new curriculum did not remove the use of Mother Tongue learning as it is indicated in the K to 12 law. Poa said the language curriculum will underline the development of oral language skills for communication in the language that the learners will understand, which is essential in developing foundational skills. Reading and literacy competency, on the other hand, will give learners reading skills, comprehension, critical thinking, foster a love of reading, and help readers become confident and proficient readers. The new "Makabansa" subject will weave vital content and skills from arts and culture, civics, history, and physical education and health. The Makabansa subject will give learners a deeper understanding of themselves and their collective identity as a Filipino, Andaya said. The integrated Makabansa subject will be included in Grades 1-3, while it will be de-integrated into Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies), technology and livelihood education, and music, arts and physical education subjects from Grades 4-10. The new curriculum will also feature the GMRC, or "Good Manners and Right Conduct," subject in Grades 1-6 and Values Education from Grades 7-10, which Andaya said conforms to Republic Act 11746, or the act that institutionalizes the learning of the subject in the curriculum. Peace education will also be heavily integrated into the new curriculum, which, Andaya said, will have discussions on self-awareness, disaster mitigation, and human security, which will make learners aware of seeking peaceful resolutions even inside the classroom. The new curriculum will be introduced in phases, with Grades 1, 4 and 7 students experiencing the new curriculum in the school year 2024-2025. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte is optimistic the new curriculum will provide children with a "meaningful learning experience that will boost their intelligence, improve their knowledge, enhance their skills and talents, and prepare them to become well-rounded, mature individuals." "It offers a glowing promise in our campaign to improve the country's basic education as it brings to life our dreams and aspirations for our learners and our country. But it demands the extraordinary dedication, commitment, support, and resolve of our education stakeholders," Duterte said.