DepEd launches new program to enhance education system

THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday launched a voluntary three- to fi ve-week learning recovery program during the current school break to boost students’ performance and teachers’ capacity.

Dubbed the National Learning Camp (NLC), the program would be offered every end-of-school-year break to “complement learning efforts in the previous school year and provide a firmer basis for further gains in the upcoming school year.”

As envisioned, it will have a phased implementation starting with Grades 7 and 8 this 2022-2023 EOSY break with focus on English, Mathematics, and Science.

Expansion to other grade levels and learning areas is set in the succeeding school years, with national programs on Reading, Mathematics, and Science and Technology targeted to be rolled out starting School Year 2023-2024.

Under the NLC, learners who will join would be enrolled in one of the three camps based on their specific needs: con-

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telligence or defense sectors.

Teodoro disclosed that the DND was crafting a draft reorganization bill that seeks to increase its personnel and equipment.

“Kailangan natin ng mas maraming tao at mas maraming kagamitan upang ma-manage ang limang ahensya sa ilalim namin nang tama. Dahil sa ngayon napakababa ng ratio ng mga empleyado namin at mga co-workers namin ng departamento kung ihahambing namin sa laki ng halaga ng responsibilidad namin, ng equipment, at sa dami ng stakeholders,” Teodoro said.

He likewise bared that he was eyeing a separate retirement system for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“There are lines of convergence but it is a distinct discipline and organization from the rest of the law enforcement agencies. And their mission roles are different and we shall be coming out with a suggestion to Congress on a bill for that,” Teodoro told ANC.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been pushing for “self-regenerating” pension plans for both the AFP and the Philippine National Police. According to the Presidential Communications Office, Marcos wanted the AFP and the PNP to have a self-sustaining pension plan and to avoid a scenario where the funds will be depleted. Vince Lopez solidation, enhancement, or intervention.

The consolidation camp is designed to “provide further practice on and application of previously taught competencies.” Opportunities will be provided in this camp to identify links connecting concepts and skills across grade-level competencies.

The enhancement camp, meanwhile, aims to “enrich learning for advanced learners by providing greater depth, breadth, and complexity of learning area competencies.”

The intervention camp seeks to “support high-need learners who are yet to grasp Foundational Mathematics and/or Foundational English skills.”

Students who will accomplish learning tasks required in their camp will be given a certificate of completion, while teachers who will render service for the NLC will get a certificate of recognition.

Learning tasks that will be given to learners are assignments, presentations, practical exercises, and other relevant activities that assess their understanding and application of competencies.