MATATAG Curriculum K to 10 Curriculum K to 12 Program Department of Education

Summary

The Philippine Department of Education introduces the Matatag Curriculum, an improved version of the K-12 program, designed to address issues like curriculum congestion and to enhance foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. The Matatag Curriculum focuses on streamlining content, emphasizing 21st-century skills, and fostering values education. It aims to better prepare Filipino students for the global challenges ahead by focusing on core competencies and by ensuring that the curriculum meets international standards. The program will be phased in starting from 2024, with full implementation expected by 2028.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Philippines adopted the K-12 program through Republic Act 10533 to enhance its basic education system, extending the duration of education from 10 to 12 years.
• 😀 The K-12 program was phased in starting in 2011 and fully implemented by 2017, with the first cohort of grade 6 and 12 learners graduating in 2018.
• 😀 The first batch of K-12 graduates, who will have completed the full 12 years of education, will graduate in school year 2023-2024.
• 😀 A rigorous review of the K-12 curriculum, led by the Department of Education and other experts, revealed key issues such as curriculum congestion, misplaced learning competencies, and imbalance in cognitive demands.
• 😀 The review process highlighted the need for improved sequencing of competencies and a stronger focus on foundational skills, particularly in early grades.
• 😀 The Matatag Curriculum was introduced as a response to these issues, emphasizing foundational skills like literacy and numeracy, and decongesting the curriculum by 70%.
• 😀 The Matatag Curriculum features a focus on critical 21st-century skills, including digital literacy, critical thinking, problem-solving, and resilience.
• 😀 The revised curriculum places a strong emphasis on values education, peace education, and social emotional learning, ensuring holistic development of students.
• 😀 A new learning area, 'Makabansa,' integrates essential topics like civics, culture, history, and physical education, with a particular focus on Filipino identity and citizenship.
• 😀 The Department of Education is preparing for the phased implementation of the Matatag Curriculum starting in 2024-2025, with full implementation expected by 2027-2028.
• 😀 Stakeholder engagement was integral to the revision process, with contributions from various educators, experts, government agencies, private organizations, and international specialists.

Q & A

What was the key motivation behind the introduction of the K-12 program in the Philippines?

The K-12 program was introduced to enhance the Philippine basic education system by strengthening the curriculum and extending the duration of basic education from 10 years to 12 years. This was aimed at improving the overall quality of education and aligning the Philippines with global education standards.

Which countries were previously among the few with a 10-year basic education system, alongside the Philippines?

Before the introduction of the K-12 program, the Philippines was one of only three countries with a 10-year basic education system, alongside Djibouti and Angola.

What were some of the key challenges identified in the original K-12 curriculum?

Key challenges included curriculum congestion, stress on both students and teachers, an imbalance of cognitive demand, and misplaced prerequisite learning competencies. These issues led to learning problems, with students failing to meet minimum standards in several subjects.

What does the term 'Matatag Curriculum' refer to?

The 'Matatag Curriculum' refers to the revised K-12 curriculum in the Philippines. It focuses on foundational skills such as literacy and numeracy, decongests the curriculum, emphasizes 21st-century skills, and integrates values education and peace education to ensure the holistic development of Filipino learners.

How did the Department of Education (DepEd) ensure transparency during the curriculum revision process?

The Department of Education (DepEd) introduced a public review process for the curriculum guides, inviting feedback from a wide range of stakeholders including teachers, students, parents, private organizations, and government agencies. This was a novel step aimed at increasing transparency and collaboration in curriculum development.

What is the primary focus of the revised Matatag Curriculum for early grades (K to 3)?

The primary focus of the Matatag Curriculum for early grades is to strengthen foundational skills, particularly literacy and numeracy. The curriculum reduces the number of subjects for these grades, providing students with more time to master these essential skills.

How does the Matatag Curriculum address 21st-century skills?

The Matatag Curriculum emphasizes the development of key 21st-century skills, including digital literacy, critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and resilience. These skills are integrated across various learning areas to prepare students for a rapidly changing, globalized world.

What role does values education play in the Matatag Curriculum?

Values education plays a significant role in the Matatag Curriculum by fostering social-emotional skills such as empathy, resilience, and community engagement. It aims to build strong character among students, emphasizing respect, responsibility, and active participation in society.

What is the timeline for the implementation of the Matatag Curriculum in the Philippines?

The pilot implementation of the Matatag Curriculum will begin in school year 2024-2025, starting with kindergarten, grades 1, 4, and 7. Full implementation is expected by school year 2027-2028, when the curriculum will be fully rolled out from kindergarten to grade 10.

What are the expected outcomes of the Matatag Curriculum in terms of student development?

The Matatag Curriculum aims to produce well-rounded learners who are strong in literacy and numeracy, proficient in 21st-century skills, and have a solid sense of national identity. It also seeks to equip students with the skills to succeed in higher education or the workforce, while fostering global citizenship and social responsibility.