THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) Davao City division rolled out the MATATAG curriculum to kindergarten and grade levels 1, 4, and 7 in all public schools in the city.
The rollout was timed for the opening of classes for the Academic Year 2024-2025 on July 29.
Reynante Solitario, DepEd Davao City Schools Division superintendent, told TIMES in a phone interview that the office sees to it that lesson 1 of the curriculum will be discussed on the first day of back-to-school.
“At the same time, we make sure we pattern it as we also need to follow competencies and lesson exemplars to guide the teachers in their lesson,” he said, positive the teachers will deliver the mandated curriculum.
One of the highlights of the MATATAG curriculum is decongesting the subjects in the grade levels mentioned.
For grade one, from seven subjects in the previous curriculum, they will only have five subjects: Language, Makabansa, Reading and Literacy, Mathematics and the Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC), and Values Education (VE).
Mother tongue will no longer be a learning area in the new curriculum, however, the teachers can use the mother tongue during discussions.
For Grades 4 and 7, the subjects are as is with Mathematics, GMRC/ VE, Araling Panlipunan, English, Science, Filipino, Music, and Arts, Physical Education & Health, Edukasyong Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan (EPP)/ Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE).
However, from 1 hour, every subject will be allotted 40-45 minutes daily to insert the National Reading Program, National Mathematics Program daily, and the Homeroom Guidance Program once a week.
In other grade levels, the curriculum will be implemented in Grades 2, 3, 5, and 8 in SY 2025-2026; and Grades 6, 9, and 10 in SY 2026-2027.
However, Marlou De Asis, Magallanes Elementary School principal, told reporters on Monday they will delay the rolling out of the curriculum to kindergarten and grade levels 1, and 4, on Tuesday, July 30.
De Asis added they have yet to conduct classes for the grade levels mentioned as the teachers have to cope with the competencies of the new curriculum.
Teachers of Kindergarten, and grade levels 1,4 and 7 attended a 5-day training on July 23-27.
Solitario clarified during the interview that Deped-Davao City has given full consideration for MES as the school was used as a temporary shelter for the families affected by the Brgy 2-A fire on July 13.
The evacuees however vacated the area on Saturday, July 27, two days before the opening of the classes.
Magallanes ES, he said, is the only school in the city to delay the curriculum roll-out.
Riza Lobitos, Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. Central ES principal told TIMES, that the school has fully implemented the curriculum on the first day.
The principal however said the first day serves as orientation and adjustment with the learners, especially the kindergarten’s separation blues from their parents.
“Maglisod pa ta kay maghilak pa ang mga bata. Dili jud ingon nga maka-klase na silag tarong. Siyempre kay mandate man siya, ato jud syang i-implement,” Lobitos said.
Deped-Davao city logged an enrollment rate of 92% with over 412,000 learners in public and private schools, as of Monday. Solitario said enrollment is still ongoing despite the classes having started.
