Gov. Garcia opposes DepEd plan

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has opposed the plan of the Department of Education making Cebuano as the medium of instruction for pre-school to Grade 3 pupils.

Garcia said she will not support the move of the DepEd to make Cebuano as the medium of instruction in the preparatory years.

The governor said children are “very malleable” that they are able to easily learn lessons in English, explaining that it is best to train the pupils to speak English at an early age in order for them to be proficient in using the language.

She said teaching the pupils the correct pronunciation of words during their young age is very effective, proposing that the best English teachers should be assigned in the preparatory years.

“We can show our love to the Cebuano language in another way,” Garcia said.

She said speaking in English does not mean not loving the Cebuano language. In fact, she explained that being proficient in English is a great skill one can use in acquiring a job.

Cebu Normal University (CNU) Presidential Assistant for Training Joseph Sol Gallon supported Garcia’s sentiments.

Gallon said it is disappointing to note that some valedictorians failed in job interviews because they were not proficient in the English language.

He shared that some business process outsourcing companies approached CNU to add English proficiency courses in its curriculum.

DepEd-7 director Ricardo Borgonia said the bill, which mandates the use of “Sinugbuanong Bisaya” as the medium of instruction for pre-school to Grade 3, is still pending in Congress. – (FREEMAN)