(Photo courtesy of EDCOM 2)

To be able to implement meaningful reforms and address challenges in the basic education system, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) underscored the importance of consulting with teachers on the ground. “Learning happens in the classroom - not in [central government offices],” said EDCOM 2 Advisory Council Member Fr. Bienvenido “Ben” Nebres during a two-day activity held early this week. “Nandito kami para makinig sa inyo (We’re here to listen to you). We really want to learn from you,” Nebres said as he addressed over 100 teachers and educators who participated in the activity. (Photo courtesy of EDCOM 2)

EDCOM 2 conducted the Curriculum Validation and Teacher Consultation at the Ateneo de Manila University Grade School in Quezon City from July 10 to 11. It was attended by participants from 74 schools --- 19 private and 55 public --- from nine regions nationwide. Some participants even came from as far as Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Dumaguete, Davao, and Zamboanga. During the second day of the activity, the Commission conducted Teacher Consultations on topics concerning teaching and learning resources, learning loss recovery, measurement of learning outcomes, and school governance issues. The participants were divided into subgroups based on Key Stages and subjects, with teachers of particular subjects, like Science, Mathematics, and English, grouped to facilitate the discussion. Based on the initial observations by the Commission, it was found that “access to learning resources continues to be uneven in different areas” for both teachers and learners. “In terms of learning outcomes, participants expressed concern for notable delays in the release of the results of system assessments, which makes it difficult for schools to use them as the basis for interventions,” EDCOM 2 said. Meanwhile, discussions on learning losses also underscored the need for remediation for students --- requiring “sufficient time for instruction outside regular class hours in order to catch up on learning losses during the pandemic.” (Photo courtesy of EDCOM 2)

The event was also attended by EDCOM 2 Advisory Council Member and P Executive Director Doris Ferrer, Standing Committee members University of the Philippines Professor Dr. Maria Therese Angeline Bustos, Arnold Janssen Catholic Mission Foundation Executive Director Fr. Jerome Marquez, and SEAMEO Innotech Educational Research and Innovation Office Manager Mr. Diosdado “Dads” San Antonio. The results of the discussions will be collected and analyzed by the EDCOM 2 Technical Secretariat and its partner research organizations to inform policy recommendations for the education sector. The results will also be submitted to the Department of Education (DepEd) for consideration.