The Department of Education (DepEd) in Northern Mindanao, also known as Region 10, recently clarified that the new Matatag curriculum is designed to ease the workload of students, not add more pressure on them. The curriculum is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to improve the public school system.

At a recent forum called “Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas,” DepEd-10 Director Arturo Bayocot shared that the curriculum’s main goal is to address some of the long-standing issues in education, such as too many assignments and overlapping performance tasks.

Reducing the Burden on Students

Many students and parents have expressed concerns about how school tasks are often overwhelming. These include too many assignments, quizzes, and performance tasks given all at once. However, according to Director Bayocot, the new Matatag curriculum aims to reduce these burdens.

“The Matatag curriculum is not meant to make life harder for students,” Bayocot explained. Instead, the curriculum was developed to decongest the students’ workloads. This means that students won’t have to juggle multiple assignments and tasks on the same day across different subjects.

Why Was the Curriculum Revised?

Public school curriculums in the Philippines are supposed to be reviewed every three years. This helps ensure that the lessons and materials stay relevant to the current needs of students and the country’s education standards. However, Director Bayocot acknowledged that implementing the Matatag revision has experienced delays. These delays may be due to the vast changes involved in the revision process, as well as the gradual phase-in of the curriculum changes.

The phased revision means that not all grade levels or subjects experience the changes at once. As of now, the senior high school programs are under review, and adjustments will be made before the new curriculum fully takes effect in all grade levels.

Addressing the Complaints

There have been complaints from parents and students about the difficulties they face with the current curriculum. One major issue raised was the overlapping of performance tasks in different subjects. For example, a student might have projects or homework due in multiple subjects on the same day. This can be overwhelming, especially for younger students.

Bayocot reassured the public that the DepEd closely monitors these activities. They aim to avoid students being overwhelmed by too many tasks at once, but he also noted that teachers are responsible for coordinating better to prevent this from happening.

“The monitoring system in place will make sure that these overlapping tasks don’t occur too frequently,” he said. Teachers are encouraged to work together so that students can have a balanced load of homework and performance tasks spread across their schedule.

Collaborative Efforts Among Teachers

One of the key aspects of the Matatag curriculum is encouraging collaboration among teachers. In the current setup, it’s possible that different subject teachers may assign work to students without coordinating with one another. This can lead to a situation where students are given multiple assignments from different subjects, all due on the same day.

With the new curriculum, teachers are expected to plan better and work together so that students can handle their schoolwork more effectively. This ensures that students will not have to rush through assignments, and they can focus on understanding the lessons more deeply.

Senior High School Programs Under Review

As part of the ongoing implementation of the Matatag curriculum, DepEd is also reviewing senior high school programs. This is crucial because senior high school is a critical phase where students prepare for college or employment. The curriculum must be carefully designed to give students the skills and knowledge they need to succeed after high school.

The review process will likely take time, as DepEd wants to ensure that the curriculum is relevant and meets the needs of both students and the job market. As Bayocot noted, any revisions will be done gradually to minimize disruption for students already in the system.

School Immunization Program

Apart from the Matatag curriculum, DepEd-10 also confirmed its commitment to supporting other student welfare initiatives, such as the school immunization program. This program is done in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH). It aims to ensure that students are protected from preventable diseases, allowing them to focus on their education without worrying about their health.

The school immunization program is one of the many initiatives that DepEd is prioritizing, recognizing that healthy students are better able to learn and perform well in school.

What’s Next for the Matatag Curriculum?

The Matatag curriculum is still in the early stages of implementation. Over time, more changes will be introduced, particularly in senior high school programs. The DepEd remains committed to improving the quality of education for all public school students in the Philippines.

With better coordination among teachers and a focus on reducing students’ workloads, the Matatag curriculum aims to create a more balanced learning environment. Students will be able to manage their time better, focus on truly understanding their lessons, and achieve more without feeling overwhelmed.

The new curriculum is a step forward in creating a more effective and less stressful education system for public school students in the Philippines. While there are still challenges to overcome, the Matatag program promises to deliver meaningful improvements in education.