To support students' academic recovery, strengthen core skills, and address learning gaps, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Monday, April 21, the rollout of four nationwide summer programs focused on reading, math, science, and special education.
In a statement, DepEd said it has expanded its summer learning initiatives to help bridge learning gaps, improve literacy, and ensure that no student is left behind, in line with the marching order of President Marcos.
“More than a summer initiative, these programs are part of a bigger movement to rebuild the foundations of learning, one reader at a time,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.
To address learning loss, DepEd said it is ramping up its summer learning efforts this May through the implementation of four major programs, namely the “Bawat Bata Bumabasa” Program (BBMP), Literacy Remediation Program (LRP), Summer Academic Remedial Program, and the Learning Camp (LC).
“We call on our partners and stakeholders to stand with us in this mission,” Angara said. “Every Filipino child deserves the chance to read, to understand, and to succeed—and it will take all of us working together to make that happen,” he added.
DepEd’s Summer Programs
Aimed at building foundational skills across grade levels, DepEd said its summer programs “form part of a holistic education recovery strategy” that combines targeted instruction, volunteer mobilization, learner well-being, and community engagement.
DepEd said the BBMP will be piloted in the Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9), targeting around 75,000 Grades 1 to 3 learners identified as struggling readers based on literacy assessments.
The program will run from May 8 to June 6. It is expected to provide daily reading tutorials supported by fun and engaging activities designed to build foundational literacy.
Approximately 7,500 teachers and volunteer tutors will be deployed across the region, with each tutor assigned to small groups of learners for focused instruction.
“Pre-service education students will be prioritized for volunteer roles and may count their participation as relevant teaching experience,” DepEd said.
From April 23 to 30, tutors will undergo training and will also help implement support measures such as free daily snacks, vision screening, and home-based literacy reinforcement strategies for parents.
Another initiative, the Literacy Remediation Program, will be implemented outside of Region 9.
DepEd said all other regions will implement the LRP to provide intensive literacy support to 59,627 Grade 3 learners categorized as Low Emerging Readers in English through the End-of-School-Year (EoSY) Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA).
To support this effort, 14,023 teachers will be trained to conduct two-hour daily remediation sessions from May 13 to June 6.
A cascade of training activities will begin with the Training of National and Regional Trainers for Remediation Teachers from April 27 to 30, followed by training for School Heads from April 30 to May 2, and Regional Training for teachers from May 4 to 9.
Participating teachers will receive service credits and a daily meal allowance, DepEd said.
From May 13 to June 6, DepEd will also implement a nationwide Summer Academic Remedial Program.
Targeting Grades 4 to 12 learners who require additional support in one or two subjects, the program is open to all public and private schools—including Philippine schools overseas—and is “especially intended for learners who failed a subject, senior high school students retaking prerequisites, and those with disabilities who need specialized assistance.”
Highly proficient teachers—especially master teachers or those with demonstrated subject expertise—will be tapped to lead the remedial sessions.
“These teachers are eligible for incentives in accordance with existing DepEd guidelines,” DepEd said. “The program ensures that struggling learners are given a second chance to catch up and move forward with confidence,” the agency added.
Moreover, this year’s Learning Camp will be piloted in 10 selected schools located in the MATATAG Pilot Regions, including Regions I, II, VII, XII, the National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and CARAGA.
“These schools were chosen based on the number and percentage of students performing below minimum proficiency levels,” DepEd explained.
The LC promotes a “learner-centered approach” with smaller class sizes and a focus on learner well-being through “enjoyable and meaningful academic experiences” in Reading, English, and Mathematics.
“Intervention Camps will maintain a maximum ratio of one teacher or volunteer per five learners, while the Consolidation and Enhancement Camps will allow up to 25 learners per facilitator, ensuring personalized support at every level of learner readiness,” DepEd said.
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