Amid complaints of being overworked due to the MATATAG curriculum, which started this school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) is planning to make the implementation of the revised curriculum for Kindergarten to Grade 10 “more flexible.”
“‘Yun, pinag-aaralan na ho namin. I think, hindi naman sa aalisin, pero gagawing mas flexible para depende sa principal, titingnan niya, kamusta ‘yung mga teachers niya, napapagod ba sila (Yes, we’re already studying that. I think it won’t be removed, but it will be made more flexible so that depending on the principal, they can assess how the teachers are doing and if they are getting tired),” DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said during a DZBB Super Radyo interview on Friday, Aug. 16.
DepEd has started the phased implementation of the MATATAG Curriculum for the school year (SY) 2024-2025.
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However, teachers’ groups have raised concerns about the MATATAG Curriculum because it has increased their workload.
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Angara said that DepEd has recognized these concerns and is considering adjustments to the implementation of the revised curriculum.
Principals, Angara said, will have the flexibility to adjust the implementation of the MATATAG curriculum. For example, they can opt for six classes of one hour each or eight classes of 45 minutes each.
“Bibigyan namin ‘yung flexibility ‘yung kada paaralan at saka ‘yung kada principal na instead ‘yung policy sa kanyang eskwelahan (We will provide flexibility to each school and principal to adjust the policy according to their needs),” he added.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/28/group-demands-immediate-halt-of-dep-ed-s-matatag-curriculum-find-out-why
Hiring of guidance counselors
With some teachers being asked to multitask, Angara said that DepEd is considering adjustments in hiring, especially for guidance counselors.
Angara noted that there are over 4,000 vacant plantilla positions for guidance counselors. These positions remain unfilled due to qualification requirements that some applicants cannot meet.
“May batas sa Pinas na para maging lisensyadong guidance counselor, kailangan may Master’s Degree, hindi lang Bachelor’s Degree, doon sa guidance and counseling. Pero dahil Master’s Degree ang kailangan, nahihirapan punan ang mga posisyon kasi kung meron man (In the Philippines, there is a law that requires a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Counseling, not just a Bachelor’s Degree, to become a licensed guidance counselor. However, because a Master’s Degree is required, it is difficult to fill the positions, even though there may be some candidates),” Angara said.
Aside from qualifications, Angara mentioned that salary issues also affect the hiring of guidance counselors.
“Gusto namin i-reclassify ‘yung posisyon, manghihingi kami ng permiso sa Department of Budget o DBM. From salary grade 11, gagawin naming salary grade 13 (We want to reclassify the position and will seek permission from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). We plan to upgrade it from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 13),” Angara said.
“At pagka may Master’s Degree ang tao, malamang hindi niya kukunin ‘yung mas mababang sweldo at mas pipiliin niya mag-apply o tanggapin ang trabaho sa pribadong sektor na mas malaki ang sweldo (With a Master’s Degree, a person is likely to avoid the lower salary and prefer to apply for or accept a job in the private sector where the salary is higher),” he added.
To address this issue, Angara mentioned that discussions are underway to allow Bachelor’s degree holders in psychology or guidance and counseling to fill the positions, provided they obtain a full Master’s degree within five years while holding the position.
“At least may nag-a-advise sa kanila kesa bakante po ang posisyon (At least there will be someone advising them instead of leaving the position vacant),” he added.
Addressing bullying
Angara said that the presence of guidance counselors in schools could also help address the prevalence of bullying among students.
“Maglalagay tayo ng kahit walang Master’s degree, maglalagay tayo ng mga psychologist at mga Bachelor’s degree holders sa guidance and counseling para may kausap (We will place psychologists and Bachelor’s degree holders in guidance and counseling positions, even if they do not have a Master’s degree, so that there will be someone to talk to),” Angara said.
Aside from hiring guidance counselors, Angara emphasized that anti-bullying policies should be strictly implemented.
“So ‘yun ang unang-unang aanuhin namin, na magi-issue kami ng Order to remind the schools to adopt an Anti-Bullying policy (So that's our top priority: we will issue an Order to remind schools to adopt an Anti-Bullying policy),” Angara explained.
Angara also underscored the importance of enforcing penalties for the policies in place.
Schools, he said, are allowed flexibility as part of their mandate, especially private schools.
“Pero ‘yung sa DepEd, meron naman tayong existing – pursuant to the Anti-Bullying Law, meron talaga tayong other that – ano lang, siguro, nakakalimutan nung iba, kaya magpapaalala kami na may existing order and to remind schools to – yung Child Disciplinary Committees nila, ‘yung mga – na pinaguusapan dyan ‘yung mga bullying cases tapos mag-assign ng isang designated officer for this (But for DepEd, we already have existing measures—pursuant to the Anti-Bullying Law, we do have other policies. Maybe some have forgotten, so we will remind them of the existing order and ensure that schools’ Child Disciplinary Committees address bullying cases and assign a designated officer for this),” he added.
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