POLICIES ON THE K TO 12 PROGRAM ON ECE

Summary

Kevin Rizal discusses the K-12 program's policies on Early Childhood Education (ECE) in the Philippines. He highlights DepEd Order No. 21, Section 2019, which sets guidelines for the K-12 program. Rizal explains the importance of kindergarten as the first stage of formal education for children aged five, focusing on their physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. He outlines the principles of ECE, emphasizing child-centered learning and the use of the mother tongue. The curriculum integrates content and pedagogies suitable for young learners, promoting literacy and numeracy through play-based activities. Assessment strategies for kindergarten to grade 3 are also discussed, focusing on observation and qualitative feedback to support learners' growth.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Department of Education in the Philippines issued DepEd Order No. 21, Section 2019, outlining policy guidelines for the K-12 basic education program.
• 🌟 Kindergarten education is defined as the first stage of formal education for children at least five years old, preparing them for Grade 1.
• 🏫 Elementary education consists of six years, from Grade 1 to Grade 6, focusing on developing literacy, numeracy, social, and inquiry skills.
• 👶 Characteristics of early childhood learners aged 0 to 8 include physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language development.
• 🌱 The National Early Childhood Framework provides 16 principles for understanding and guiding early childhood learners' growth and development.
• 👧 The learning program for early childhood education is child-centered, emphasizing active learning through play and the importance of family and community involvement.
• 📚 The kindergarten curriculum integrates developmentally appropriate content and pedagogies, following the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) program.
• 🎓 The kindergarten education program aims to promote physical, social, cultural, emotional, and intellectual development, including values formation.
• 📈 Assessment in kindergarten to Grade 3 is primarily through observation, with qualitative and non-numerical recording systems to describe learners' performance.
• 📊 National assessments are conducted at the end of Grade 3 to evaluate whether learners meet Key Stage standards and to assess the effectiveness of the early education programs.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the Department of Education Order (DepEd Order) No. 21, Section 2019?

The purpose of DepEd Order No. 21, Section 2019 is to provide context and articulate its features and programs, offer a comprehensive explanation of the K-12 basic education program and its components across all key stages, and establish a clear framework for monitoring and evaluation of the program.

What is the definition of kindergarten education as per the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013?

Kindergarten education is defined as the first stage of a comprehensive and mandatory program of formal education, consisting of one year of preparatory education for children at least five years old as a prerequisite for Grade 1.

What is the duration of elementary education as per the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013?

Elementary education consists of six years, covering grades one through six.

What are the main objectives of elementary education?

The main objectives of elementary education are to help learners develop solid literacy, numeracy, social, and inquiry skills that provide a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

What are the key characteristics of children in early childhood, aged 0 to 8 years old?

Children in early childhood aged 0 to 8 years old develop their physical, cognitive, social-emotional, and language skills. They are in the process of developing gross and fine motor skills, cognitive abilities, socialization, and language development in both Tagalog and English.

What are the 16 principles of early childhood education as outlined by the National Early Childhood Framework?

The 16 principles of early childhood education are categorized under child growth and development, learning and development programs, and assessment of learning. They serve as a guide to understanding and supporting early childhood learners.

How is the kindergarten curriculum designed according to the script?

The kindergarten curriculum is designed to integrate developmentally appropriate content and pedagogies that align with how young children learn and relate to others. It emphasizes fundamental skills development, content integration, and follows the mother tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) program.

What are the key features of the MTB-MLE program in kindergarten?

The key features of the MTB-MLE program include acknowledging and building on learners' prior knowledge, building a strong foundation for literacy in the learner's first language, using culturally familiar concepts to aid understanding, and emphasizing meaning, communication, and skills development.

What role does play have in kindergarten education?

Play is essential to healthy and holistic child development in kindergarten. It provides opportunities for children to learn about their world, practice newly acquired skills, build self-confidence, problem-solving, and cooperative learning skills.

How are kindergarten to Grade 3 learners assessed according to the script?

Assessment for kindergarten to Grade 3 learners is primarily through observation. It is designed to help teachers understand learners' individual strengths and weaknesses to design appropriate learning activities. Qualitative and non-numerical recording and grading systems are used.

What is the purpose of the national assessment at the end of Grade 3?

The national assessment at the end of Grade 3 is conducted to check if learners are meeting Key Stage standards and to evaluate the effectiveness of the kindergarten to Grade 3 programs.