Gatchalian advises DepEd to address K-12 deficiencies

The Department of Education (DepEd) must refocus on Reading and Mathematics to address studies that show primary graders are poorest in those subjects, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said.

He added that DepEd must review the Kinder to Grade 12 (K-12) curriculum and study the possibility of removing subjects

Gatchalian said by returning to the basic tools of learning, students will be more prepared after the K-12 program.

“Back to basics tayo. Turuan magbasa at magbilang. Magbawas din ng mga subject kasi nawawala sa focus ang mga estudyante sa dami ng mga subject,” Gatchalian said.

A 2018 study of the Program for International Student Assessment involving 15-year-old students in 79 countries ranked the country last in Reading and second to last in Science and Mathematics.

Gatchalian filed a resolution that aims to study amendments to Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 (K-12 law).

“The implementation of an education reform as critical as the K-12 law must be sustained to fully attain its benefits but not without addressing these pressing issues that could compromise the effectiveness of the program and pose as stumbling blocks in providing quality education and achieving global competitiveness,” Gatchalian said in his resolution.