The Catch-Up Fridays program, a learning mechanism designed to enhance students' abilities in reading, critical thinking, analysis, and writing, will be recalibrated, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).
Dennis Legaspi, Media Relations Chief from the Office of Secretary Sonny Angara, told the Manila Bulletin that DepEd is planning to recalibrate the Catch-Up Fridays Program.
Legaspi explained that the draft National Reading Program and the Mathematics Program, collectively referred to as “Nasa Pagbasa at Pagkuwenta ang Pagbasa (P3),” will undergo revision to align with the provisions of the ARAL Program.
The recalibration of Catch-Up Fridays, Legaspi said, is included in the latest draft of the P3 policy.
“Starting SY 2025-2026, lessons during Catch-Up Fridays will focus on teaching competencies in each learning area, integrating reading as appropriate,” DepEd said. “Teachers may also integrate reading on other days of the week,” it added.
Schools’ discretion
This school year, Legaspi noted, schools were given flexibility in implementing the program.
“We are leaving it to the discretion of the school heads,” Legaspi said. “Some have continued it because they find it necessary and effective in their schools. Those who couldn’t manage it have stopped,” he added.
Launched last January under the leadership of former DepEd Secretary, Vice President Sara Duterte, Catch-Up Fridays aims to support the basic education priorities outlined in the MATATAG Agenda and accelerate the educational goals of its National Learning Recovery Program (NLRP).
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2024/1/13/what-is-catch-up-fridays
The Catch-Up Fridays program was introduced to reinforce foundational, social, and other skills essential for achieving the objectives of the basic education curriculum.
However, the program faced criticism for allegedly “disrupting” the regular teaching and learning process.
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) said the Catch-Up Fridays is not a "necessity and should therefore be immediately suspended."
Earlier, TDC urged DepEd to halt the implementation of Catch-Up Fridays, arguing that it would “not positively impact” children's education.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/7/suspend-catch-up-fridays-dep-ed-told