Adopt-A-School Program
Potential engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and artists are in our schools, but they may not have a chance to pursue their dreams due to economic difficulty. Their parents dream of a better life for their children and strive hard to provide well for them, but in many cases, even just the provision of food for each household’s table is already a struggle.
The government allots the biggest share of the national budget to public basic education, but the amount still cannot keep up with the increasing student population. There are even more children who are out on the streets and who have to be shepherded into the schools, but government resources are simply not enough to provide them the free, quality education to which they are all entitled.
We need generous hearts in the private sector to realize the spirit of Republic Act 8525 or the Adopt-A-School Act, enacted in 1988 for the very purpose of providing a venue for the strong and dynamic private sector to participate in nation-building through investments in the education of Filipino children. The rewards of such investments come through an educated generation that will succeed ours, run our enterprises, and steer this nation to greater heights.
Over the years, DepEd introduced interventions to reduce student dropouts and keep the youth off the streets. It has sought to increase student achievement levels and improve teacher performance. It continues to bring the issues and needs of public education to every Filipino who cares, in an effort to invite each and everyone to help boost education opportunities for our young.
DepEd, through the Adopt-A-School Program (ASP), sincerely invites all members of private entities to accept our offer of active partnership in the noble goal of educating all Filipinos. Education is the key to national growth.
With Adopt-A-School, each Filipino can have the opportunity to enjoy his right to education, to open his eyes to the wonders and challenges of the world, to pursue his dreams, and to contribute capably towards the nation’s progress.
The government allots the biggest share of the national budget to public basic education, but the amount still cannot keep up with the increasing student population. There are even more children who are out on the streets and who have to be shepherded into the schools, but government resources are simply not enough to provide them the free, quality education to which they are all entitled.
We need generous hearts in the private sector to realize the spirit of Republic Act 8525 or the Adopt-A-School Act, enacted in 1988 for the very purpose of providing a venue for the strong and dynamic private sector to participate in nation-building through investments in the education of Filipino children. The rewards of such investments come through an educated generation that will succeed ours, run our enterprises, and steer this nation to greater heights.
Over the years, DepEd introduced interventions to reduce student dropouts and keep the youth off the streets. It has sought to increase student achievement levels and improve teacher performance. It continues to bring the issues and needs of public education to every Filipino who cares, in an effort to invite each and everyone to help boost education opportunities for our young.
DepEd, through the Adopt-A-School Program (ASP), sincerely invites all members of private entities to accept our offer of active partnership in the noble goal of educating all Filipinos. Education is the key to national growth.
With Adopt-A-School, each Filipino can have the opportunity to enjoy his right to education, to open his eyes to the wonders and challenges of the world, to pursue his dreams, and to contribute capably towards the nation’s progress.
GO! Education
The Department of Education (DepEd), supported by the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has started to address the need to inform and engage the general public in its mission to provide Education for All in the Philippines.
Greater Opportunities! Education is a program to bring the advocacy of education reform closer to every Filipino. The Department of Education and its various supporters has started to address the need to inform and engage the general public and its internal stakeholders in its mission to provide Education for All in the Philippines. It focuses on the three primary components towards improving access and quality of basic education: (1) Curriculum Enhancements through the K to 12 Basic Education Program, (2) Provision of Sufficient Resources to Eliminate Basic Education Input Gaps, and (3) Improvements to Quality of Teachers and Teaching.
To date, a mall exhibit series was launched in cooperation with SM Malls, and a social media campaign (educACTION) online. Other media such as RC and TVC are underway while PR has also been started. To further campaign for GO! Education, and ultimately gain more engagement from the public, it is crucial that we do so in a space that is closest to them.
Greater Opportunities! Education is a program to bring the advocacy of education reform closer to every Filipino. The Department of Education and its various supporters has started to address the need to inform and engage the general public and its internal stakeholders in its mission to provide Education for All in the Philippines. It focuses on the three primary components towards improving access and quality of basic education: (1) Curriculum Enhancements through the K to 12 Basic Education Program, (2) Provision of Sufficient Resources to Eliminate Basic Education Input Gaps, and (3) Improvements to Quality of Teachers and Teaching.
To date, a mall exhibit series was launched in cooperation with SM Malls, and a social media campaign (educACTION) online. Other media such as RC and TVC are underway while PR has also been started. To further campaign for GO! Education, and ultimately gain more engagement from the public, it is crucial that we do so in a space that is closest to them.
10-Point Education Agenda
The principles of the current administration on education are guided by the 10 Point Basic Education Agenda:
1. A 12-year basic education cycle
The implementation of the K to 12 Program will be phased to make the country’s education system at par with international standards. Under this program, Universal kindergarten is already being offered this SY 2011-2012. By SY 2012-2013, the enhanced curriculum will be offered to incoming Grade 1 as well as to incoming junior high school students.
The activities currently being undertaken to support the implementation of the K to 12 Program are Curriculum Development; Legislation at the House of Representatives and the Senate; Research Studies; Advocacy; and Transition Management with the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
2. Universal Pre-schooling for all
Universal kindergarten offered in SY 2011-2012, with a budget allocation of P2.3 billion.
The Kindergarten curriculum adapts a thematic approach, focused on the following domains: Values Education, Physical Health and Motor Development, Social and Emotional Development, Cognitive Development, Creative Arts, Language and Readiness for Reading and Writing & Language, Literacy and Communications.
3. Establish the Madaris Education as a sub-system in the current education system
The Kindergarten Madrasah Curriculum has been developed and will be piloted in selected schools in August 2011.
The Refined Elementary Madrasah Curriculum (REMC) being implemented in SY 2011-2012 and the instructional learning materials is undergoing review.
The development of the Secondary Madrasah Curriculum is on its final stage. The instructional learning materials for Islamic Values, English and Arabic Translations are being developed.
4. Re-introduce technical and vocational education in public high schools.
Techvoc curricula for Grades 11 & 12 are being developed as part of the K to 12 Program.
There are 282 techvoc high schools nationwide specializing in Arts and Trade, Agriculture, and Fishery.
Ongoing upgrade and maintenance of laboratory workshops and other facilities.
5. Every child a reader by Grade 1
Ongoing implementation of the Every Child a Reader Program (ECARP).
In 2010, Reading Recovery (RR) was added to ECARP. This new component gives children beginning to fall behind in reading and writing a second chance. It identifies children having difficulty early so that specialized one-on-one assistance from a teacher trained in RR is provided. The pilot implementation started in 2010-2011 in Regions NCR, V, VI and XI.
6. Improve science and mathematics
The Science & Technology-Oriented High School (ESEP) Program is one of the flagship programs for the development of Science, Mathematics and research. ESEP was initially implemented in 112 public secondary schools nationwide. In 2010, the program was expanded to 86 secondary to schools. To date, there are 198 schools under ESEP and 100 Special Science Elementary High Schools.
There is also ongoing and continuous training of teachers in Math and Science.
7. Expand government assistance to private education
DepEd implements the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) to support the schooling of secondary school children in private schools. The GASTPE program is aimed at democratizing and improving access to quality secondary education through government extension of financial assistance to deserving elementary school graduates who wish to pursue their secondary education in private schools. It is geared towards reducing class size to manageable levels in public high schools, especially those experiencing shortage of classrooms and teachers. Thus, through GASTPE, the government is able to decongest public secondary schools.
This SY 2011-2012, the number of beneficiaries were increased to 757,000 under GASTPE education service contracting scheme.
Beneficiaries outside Metro Manila also received increase in subsidy from P5,000 to P5,500.
8. Use of mother-language instruction
A series of trainings are being conducted for trainers and teachers on Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education. Instructional materials in major languages (Tagalog, Ilokano, Pangasinense, Bikolano, Kapampangan, Hiligaynon, Bisaya & Waray) have been developed.
9. Better textbooks
DepEd is continuing efforts to improve the screening and selection process of textbook evaluators.
Orientation seminars conducted for authors, publishers, editors, illustrators, book designers and other stakeholders developing textbooks and teacher’s manuals for public school use.
Ongoing participation of more than 40 civil society organizations, local government units, Parent-Teacher Associations, other civic and church organizations, institutions, and foundation in the National Textbook Delivery Program.
10. Build more schools in cooperation with LGUs
Established in early 2011, the Counter-Parting for Classroom, Construction Program calls on local government units (LGUs) to participate in the provision of new classrooms to schools.
To date, a total of 17 LGUs have signed counter-parting agreements with DepEd with a total funding of over P1 billion for the building of over 1,300 classrooms.
1. A 12-year basic education cycle
The implementation of the K to 12 Program will be phased to make the country’s education system at par with international standards. Under this program, Universal kindergarten is already being offered this SY 2011-2012. By SY 2012-2013, the enhanced curriculum will be offered to incoming Grade 1 as well as to incoming junior high school students.
The activities currently being undertaken to support the implementation of the K to 12 Program are Curriculum Development; Legislation at the House of Representatives and the Senate; Research Studies; Advocacy; and Transition Management with the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
2. Universal Pre-schooling for all
Universal kindergarten offered in SY 2011-2012, with a budget allocation of P2.3 billion.
The Kindergarten curriculum adapts a thematic approach, focused on the following domains: Values Education, Physical Health and Motor Development, Social and Emotional Development, Cognitive Development, Creative Arts, Language and Readiness for Reading and Writing & Language, Literacy and Communications.
3. Establish the Madaris Education as a sub-system in the current education system
The Kindergarten Madrasah Curriculum has been developed and will be piloted in selected schools in August 2011.
The Refined Elementary Madrasah Curriculum (REMC) being implemented in SY 2011-2012 and the instructional learning materials is undergoing review.
The development of the Secondary Madrasah Curriculum is on its final stage. The instructional learning materials for Islamic Values, English and Arabic Translations are being developed.
4. Re-introduce technical and vocational education in public high schools.
Techvoc curricula for Grades 11 & 12 are being developed as part of the K to 12 Program.
There are 282 techvoc high schools nationwide specializing in Arts and Trade, Agriculture, and Fishery.
Ongoing upgrade and maintenance of laboratory workshops and other facilities.
5. Every child a reader by Grade 1
Ongoing implementation of the Every Child a Reader Program (ECARP).
In 2010, Reading Recovery (RR) was added to ECARP. This new component gives children beginning to fall behind in reading and writing a second chance. It identifies children having difficulty early so that specialized one-on-one assistance from a teacher trained in RR is provided. The pilot implementation started in 2010-2011 in Regions NCR, V, VI and XI.
6. Improve science and mathematics
The Science & Technology-Oriented High School (ESEP) Program is one of the flagship programs for the development of Science, Mathematics and research. ESEP was initially implemented in 112 public secondary schools nationwide. In 2010, the program was expanded to 86 secondary to schools. To date, there are 198 schools under ESEP and 100 Special Science Elementary High Schools.
There is also ongoing and continuous training of teachers in Math and Science.
7. Expand government assistance to private education
DepEd implements the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) to support the schooling of secondary school children in private schools. The GASTPE program is aimed at democratizing and improving access to quality secondary education through government extension of financial assistance to deserving elementary school graduates who wish to pursue their secondary education in private schools. It is geared towards reducing class size to manageable levels in public high schools, especially those experiencing shortage of classrooms and teachers. Thus, through GASTPE, the government is able to decongest public secondary schools.
This SY 2011-2012, the number of beneficiaries were increased to 757,000 under GASTPE education service contracting scheme.
Beneficiaries outside Metro Manila also received increase in subsidy from P5,000 to P5,500.
8. Use of mother-language instruction
A series of trainings are being conducted for trainers and teachers on Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education. Instructional materials in major languages (Tagalog, Ilokano, Pangasinense, Bikolano, Kapampangan, Hiligaynon, Bisaya & Waray) have been developed.
9. Better textbooks
DepEd is continuing efforts to improve the screening and selection process of textbook evaluators.
Orientation seminars conducted for authors, publishers, editors, illustrators, book designers and other stakeholders developing textbooks and teacher’s manuals for public school use.
Ongoing participation of more than 40 civil society organizations, local government units, Parent-Teacher Associations, other civic and church organizations, institutions, and foundation in the National Textbook Delivery Program.
10. Build more schools in cooperation with LGUs
Established in early 2011, the Counter-Parting for Classroom, Construction Program calls on local government units (LGUs) to participate in the provision of new classrooms to schools.
To date, a total of 17 LGUs have signed counter-parting agreements with DepEd with a total funding of over P1 billion for the building of over 1,300 classrooms.