Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones has cited the importance of peer support, saying that the bond between youth can change and save lives.
She took note of the youth’s crucial role in supporting their fellow youth who have been experiencing difficulties amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, as the OKKK! Tambayan (Online Kahusayan at Katatagan ng Kabataan) program "has officially wrapped up Season 3 and is gearing up for the potential release of a new season.”
“Napakalaki ng papel ng kabataan and therefore they need additional time and support kung saan makikipag-usap sila sa kapwa bata nila in greater detail. Itong misyon na ito ay hindi lamang sa loob ng OKKK! Program ngunit ang pinakatunay ng misyon na ito ay sa labas, sa eskwelahan at sa community. (The role of the youth is huge and therefore they need additional time and support where they can talk to their fellow children in greater detail. This mission is not just within OKKK! Program but the very essence of this mission is outside, in the school and in the community),” Briones said in a statement.
The last episode of the OKKK! Tambayan season was aired on May 8, featuring fake news and fact-checking.
“Hindi naman ito (This is not) goodbye, you are going out into the world to help your fellow young people. You will listen to them with patience and love, with your experiences in mind. Together, you can work together and you can help them handle their problems,” Briones said.
Streaming every Saturday, OKKK! Tambayan serves as one of the DepEd’s support systems to help ensure the overall well-being of secondary learners in the Philippines.
The online series helped learners express their emotions and concerns amidst this pandemic through an in-depth discussion of mental health with experts and facilitators, the DepEd said.
Briones hailed the DepEd-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) for the successful implementation of the program.
“I am very pleased and happy with the results of this program in counselling and helping young people who are facing challenges with the difficulties, tension, and anxieties because of issues affecting their families.”
Among the issues discussed at OKKK! Tambayan this year are self-care, taking care of one's mental health, nurturing relationships, time management, and the responsible use of social media.
The 11 episodes of OKKK! Tambayan are uploaded on the official YouTube channel and DepEd Philippines Facebook page. The episodes are also available on DepEd TV every Saturday at 6:30 PM with replays at the same time on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Aside from OKKK! Tambayan, other Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) programs of the agency are TALA: Tuklasin, Alamin, Likhain, at Alalahanin, an educational TV program for elementary learners that focuses on the development of the child’s Socio-Emotional Learning (SEL); and Kakaiba-yanihan, an online series fostering a supportive community that accepts, protects and helps learners with disabilities.