DepEd to overhaul public school curriculum

Alarmed over the poor comprehension skills of many public school students, the Department of Education (DepEd) is now in the process of "overhauling" the curriculum for public education.

Education Undersecretary Fe Hidalgo said curriculum experts are now reviewing the curriculum of public schools to relieve the students of unnecessary subjects.

"Our present curriculum is congested. It is heavy for the students, especially those in elementary...There are so many subject areas and the students cannot learn them well," she said.

DepEd has trimmed down the subject areas for public elementary and high schools from eight to five.

The five are Filipino, English, Mathematics, Science and SIKAP — which includes Sining, Kultura, Musika, Physical Education, Produktibong Pamumuhay, Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan, Heograpiya, Kasaysayan, Sibika, Araling Panlipunan, Technology, Home Economics, Health and Character Education.

Hidalgo said the new curriculum will revolve around the five core subjects to make Filipino students "critical thinkers."

"There are students who go beyond Grade 3 but don’t know how to read...Others do not understand what they read. What we want is for them to read effectively, with comprehension," she said.

Under the plan, the five core subjects will be taught based on grade level. For instance, students will start focusing on History when they reach Grade 4.

"Nothing is final yet, except for the five core subjects. Curriculum experts are studying how many hours will be allotted to a certain subject," Hidalgo said.

DepEd is hoping to implement the new curriculum in some pilot schools nationwide starting next school year.

Meanwhile, members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) picketed the DepEd offices in Pasig City yesterday to denounce the curriculum reforms.

Carol Almeda, ACT president, said the program will result in mass retrenchment of public school teachers because subjects will be reduced.

Almeda alleged that the DepEd is undertaking the curriculum reforms "at the behest" of the Asian Development Bank and World Bank in exchange for financial assistance.

"DepEd is only interested in producing skilled laborers for foreign investors, not well-rounded human beings. The ‘millennium curriculum’ is education under imperialist globalization," she said.