IN an effort to address the “learning losses” of Filipino students following the closures of schools and the shift to distance learning, the Department of Education (DepEd), under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., has implemented learning recovery plans that include the hiring of teachers and administrative officers in 2022.
In its accomplishment report presented to Malacañang, the DepEd said it had prepared the National Learning Recovery Plan to guide regions, divisions and schools in addressing learning deficiencies due to pandemic-related disruptions.
DepEd data indicated that the proposed policy is anchored on learning remediation and intervention, professional development, health, safety and mental wellness.
DepEd Assistant Secretary Ruby Torio earlier said the plan includes extending the school calendar, establishing a learning support center in schools and community-based learning spaces, conducting summer learning remediation and intervention programs, and hiring additional learning support aides.
In 2022, a total of 11,580 teachers were hired and a total of 5,000 administrative officer items were created to unburden teachers from administrative loads, DepEd said in its year-end report.
According to DepEd data, 15,331 teachers and school leaders received graduate scholarships while 17,636 were trained in early-grade language literacy.
In addition, a total of 161,700 teachers completed the National Educators’ Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) subsidized teaching courses and 31,700 teachers underwent Teacher Induction Program.
NEAP is an attached agency within DepEd and is responsible for the design, development, and delivery of professional development for teachers, school leaders and other teaching-related personnel.
President Marcos has cited the importance of supporting teachers and not “scrimping on the amount” for the children’s education as the country’s future lies on them.
In a meeting with the Filipino community in New York in September, President Marcos said the DepEd had been actively working on strengthening the Philippines’ education system so that Filipino children would be prepared wherever they go.
“Our children must be equipped with the best that we can possibly provide. We cannot scrimp on the amount. Lahat ng maaari nating ibigay sa kanila, ibibigay natin sa kanila so that they get the best quality of education that we can afford without being wasteful,” Marcos said.
The chief executive has since reiterated that the Philippines must do better in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses
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