Launched on Jan. 12, 'Catch-Up Fridays' is a learning mechanism intended to strengthen foundational, social, and other relevant skills necessary to realize the objectives of the basic education curriculum.
The program, DepEd said, aims to bolster the basic education priorities articulated in the MATATAG Agenda and accelerate the achievement of education targets of its National Learning Recovery Program (NLRP).
'Catch-Up Fridays' was designed to strengthen the foundational, social, and other essential skills among learners to achieve the goals of basic education.
Through the initiative, DepEd expects the students' abilities in reading, critical thinking, analytical, and writing will be enhanced.
What is ‘Catch-Up Fridays’?
Understanding DepEd’s latest initiative on learning recovery
Jan 13, 2024 12:55 PM
At a glance
This year, the Department of Education (DepEd) has instructed all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide to focus their efforts on an integral aspect of its learning recovery program — the "Catch-Up Fridays."
Launched on Jan. 12, DepEd said the program is a "learning mechanism" intended to strengthen foundational, social, and other relevant skills necessary to realize the objectives of the basic education curriculum.
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This month, DepEd said all Catch-Up Fridays will focus on the “Drop Everything and Read (DEAR)” activity and orientation for field officials. It shall also be used as a venue to gather feedback from field implementers on the guidelines of Catch-up Fridays.
During the initial implementation of Catch-Up Fridays, DepEd, led by Curriculum and Teaching Undersecretary Gina Gonong and Assistant Secretary Alma Ruby Torio, visited several schools in Metro Manila.
Among the schools visited by the Department were San Joaquin Elementary School, Pinagbuhatan Elementary School, Bagong Ilog Elementary School, and Neptali A. Gonzales High School.
The officials checked in with students and teachers regarding the start of the program. Through DEAR Day, DepEd said students were allowed to read their chosen materials.
DepEd officials observed "happy and engaged" students and teachers during the program's launch. Teachers, they mentioned, employed a variety of reading materials and strategies to engage students in reading.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/12/happy-and-engaged-students-teachers-welcome-catch-up-fridays-dep-ed
Learning recovery effort
In a nutshell, the “Catch-Up Fridays” program was designed to strengthen foundational, social, and other essential skills to achieve the goals of basic education.
Through the initiative, DepEd expected the students' abilities in reading, critical thinking, analytical, and writing will be enhanced.
In the guidelines issued by DepEd on the implementation of the program, DepEd said it remains “steadfast in its commitment to delivering quality, relevant, inclusive, and responsive basic education.”
Its current initiatives, DepEd said, provide opportunities to enhance learners’ academic performance, particularly the “low proficiency levels in reading based on national and international large-scale assessments.”
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https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/5/pisa-2022-no-significant-improvements-seen-in-ph-students-performance
“These assessment results necessitate prompt attention to address learning gaps and strengthen the reading proficiency of every learner,” DepEd said.
The Catch-Up Fridays program, DepEd said, aims to bolster the basic education priorities articulated in the MATATAG Agenda and accelerate the achievement of education targets of its National Learning Recovery Program (NLRP).
Moreover, DepEd noted that this initiative is also integral in the National Reading and Mathematics Programs (NRP) and (NRM) which are critical subprograms of the NLRP.
Focus on reading and other areas
DepEd noted that the time allotment for the NRP is expected to give learners opportunities for reading intervention and reading enhancement through developmentally appropriate reading materials.
Aside from reading, DepEd noted that there is a “need to intensify” Values, Health, and Peace Education.
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DepEd said Values Education remains a priority in compliance with Republic Act (RA) No. 11476, Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC), and the Values Education Act, which recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building."
The urgency for Peace Education, DepEd said, is a “prompt response” to the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) results.
It was revealed that bullying remains a “pervasive problem in public schools and the need for Filipino learners as global citizens to acquire and strengthen peace competencies allowing them to become peace builders and advocates in their respective communities.”
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/12/dep-ed-records-178-cases-of-bullying-since-2022
Health Education, on the other hand, “demands stronger advocacy to ensure the overall health and well-being of learners,” DepEd said.
Aside from DEAR, DepEd said various strategies may be employed by schools to implement Catch-up Fridays such as Read-A-Thon, fora, and invitation of resource persons, among others.
How it works
As stated in DepEd Memorandum No. 001 series of 2024, DepEd said all Fridays throughout the school year are designated as Catch-up Fridays.
During the first half of the day's schedule, the focus on operationalizing the National Reading Program (NRP) is highlighted while fostering Values, Health, and Peace Education for the second half.
Homeroom Guidance Program (HGP), DepEd said, will also be included in the program.
During Catch-Up Fridays, DepEd said the time allotment for each learning area will be used to “enhance learners' knowledge and skills in and appreciation of reading, values, health, and peace education.”
DepEd explained that Values, Health, and Peace Education will revolve around monthly themes/subthemes based on the basic education curricular framework and standards.
“While teachers shall be given the prerogative to narrow down or devise additional subthemes, alignment with the quarterly themes is essential,” DepEd explained.
During Catch-Up Fridays, DepEd said an “integrative approach to teaching” is very crucial.
“For example, the content of any learning area can be used as a springboard for developing the reading skills of learners,” DepEd said.
Health themes, on the other hand, can be integrated into Science to foster a deeper understanding of health-related concepts.
DepEd said that Peace Education themes can also be integrated into Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE) to allow learners to “explore how technology can be used for conflict resolution, communication, and community building.”
No grades required
Since its main objective is to reinforce learning and individual progress, DepEd stressed that “Catch-up Fridays shall not be graded.”
Instead, the progress of the learners will be monitored through their Reflection Journal, compiling reading experiences, learnings, and appreciation of Values, Health, and Peace Education.
“Learners may also articulate their thoughts through various forms of writing, such as stories, journals, personal essays, and other forms of creative expression that reflect their unique learning experiences,” DepEd said.
Role of teachers, schools
Aside from employing an “integrative approach” to teaching, DepEd said teachers need to engage in collaborative expertise sessions through Learning Action Cells (LAC).
They also need other “professional development activities” to share effective practices and prepare materials together for the effective implementation of Catch-up Fridays.
Schools, on the other hand, were highly encouraged to “forge and strengthen” stakeholder engagement to gather support and ensure the sustainability of Catch-up Fridays.
DepEd said school heads will also be primarily responsible for supervising the implementation of Catch-up Fridays.
Its Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD) and Curriculum Implementation Division (CID), on the other hand, will also collaborate to ensure compliance.
DepEd said elementary and secondary schools as well as community learning centers (CLCs) nationwide are expected to implement “Catch-Up Fridays.”
Private schools, on the other hand, can also adopt the initiative.
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