Vice President and outgoing Education Secretary Sara Duterte cited the significant impact of the National Learning Camp (NLC) on improving learners’ performance in Mathematics, Science, and English during the NLC Appreciation Program on Wednesday, July 10.
Speaking at San Fernando Central School in Cebu, Duterte emphasized the important role of the NLC in “addressing the learning loss that was aggravated by the pandemic.”
“It [NLC] is part of our response to the low performance of our learners in the National Achievement Test (NAT) and International Large-Scale Assessments (ILSAs), such as the Programme for International Student Assessments (PISA), and the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM), which underscored a pressing learning crisis that requires urgent action,” she said.
Duterte noted that the NLC, which expanded this year to include Grades 1 to 3 and Grades 7 to 10, has effectively bolstered academic proficiency among students nationwide.
“Last year’s NLC achieved significant success, reaching 938,341 learners in Grades 7 and 8 through intervention, consolidation, and enhancement camps in 34,383 schools nationwide. I thank the 62,773 teachers who volunteered for Grades 7 and 8 and the 166,263 teachers involved in other end-of-school-year break activities. Results of assessments show that our combined efforts have made a dent towards the improvement of our learners’ performance in Math, Science, and English,” she said.
Building on these strengths, Duterte said the second year of NLC kicked off on July 1 with 2,183,327 learners in Grades 1 to 3 and Grades 7 to 10, along with 185,759 learning camp volunteers nationwide.
Each teacher-volunteer and learner received teaching and learning materials in Reading, English, Mathematics, and Science.
Funds were also allocated for orientations and daily meal expenses for DepEd and non-DepEd volunteers.
DepEd’s partners were also engaged to provide fun and engaging activities and services, such as eye and dental check-ups in select schools.
During her address, Duterte explained that this year's NLC, scheduled from July 1 to 19, focuses on a three-week intensive learning program to boost student performance in Reading, English, Mathematics, and Science.
She noted that this duration was shortened from five weeks last year due to adjustments in the school calendar for School Year 2024-2025, with classes resuming on July 29 to align with pre-pandemic schedules.
“I am optimistic that this program will continue to yield positive outcomes, improving the foundational literacy, numeracy, and 21st century skills crucial to our learners’ future success,” Duterte said.
She also pointed out the importance of community involvement and collaborative efforts to sustain the educational initiatives that benefit Filipino learners.
“To continue making it work, we need to carry on the NLC with the support of the whole community. A whole-of-community approach that brings together parents, barangay officials, our local government units, partners, principals, and other education leaders, and parents is central to the National Learning Camp; and is essential to how we educate our children. The NLC espouses the Filipino ‘bayanihan’ spirit,” she said.
Duterte expressed gratitude to parents for supporting their children in the learning camp, as well as to parent-teacher associations, school governing councils, non-government organizations, and other partners for their assistance in school activities.
She also thanked the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines for its support and recognized regional directors, superintendents, education supervisors, and teachers for their commitment to the NLC.
Moreover, Duterte highlighted the significant role of school principals in the camp's success and commended DepEd and non-DepEd teachers for their dedication to quality education.