DepEd to introduce media curriculum

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Education is set to introduce a media literacy education curriculum that seeks to protect children from the negative effects of the media.

In a press statement, DepEd Secretary Mona Valisno said the department believed that children need to be protected from adverse exposure to the media which they encounter everyday while in the process of acquiring information and entertainment.

In line with this, DepEd has created the Media Literacy Task Force to develop a National Media Literacy Education curriculum that would help children understand and handle the media. 

“Our children need help in developing their skills to distinguish good news from bad news and good programs from bad ones,” said Valisno.

According to Valisno, recent studies (Cartoon Network New Generations Philippines (2009), the 2008 AC Nielsen kids study and the 2002 PCTVF Media Violence Study) showed the prevalence of TV viewing among children and youth. It was also reflected in the 2009 study that 26 percent of Filipino children go online everyday, 50 percent of which use the Internet for their homework.

The NMLE is set to be integrated into the Basic Education Curriculum under Social Studies for the elementary level and under English/Communication Arts/Values for the high school level. Teachers, school administrators, and peer educators will soon undergo trainings in preparation for the integration.   Media learning resources will also be developed for the use in public schools. (FREEMAN NEWS)