ILOILO CITY – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and non-profit RTI International have released books written in the local language of Hiligaynon to schools in Iloilo City.
The collection of Hiligaynon books intended for Grade 1 students that were released during a May 3 ceremony at La Paz I Elementary School are part of USAID’s Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines (ABC+ Project).
Ina Aquino, chief of party for USAID ABC+ Project, explained that the books specifically support the Department of Education (DepEd) in implementing the Mother Tongue – Based Multilingual Education (MTB MLE).
At least 20 titles were selected for the books intended for Grade 1 students, who are beginning to read. These materials have texts that are controlled for specific phonic patterns.
Teachers from various schools in the city served as writers, illustrators and editors for the books.
Ma. Luz De Los Reyes, DepEd-Iloilo City Schools Division Superintendent, said the 6,391 books received by schools in the city can help boost learning during the pandemic.
At least 129,299 of these books have been distributed in other parts of Western Visayas region including schools in Iloilo, Capiz and Negros Occidental provinces.