THE Department of Education yesterday reported an improved reading outcome among early grade learners who participated in this year’s summer reading programs, which included “feeding” interventions.
In a report summarizing the outcomes of its summer programs, DepEd noted that feeding interventions, such as snacks and small incentives, played a critical role in sustaining attendance and learner focus, particularly in the Bawat Bata Makababasa Program (BBMP) and National Learning Camp (NLC).
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said this showed the importance of feeding intervention in improving learning outcomes.
“Ang pagkain ay hindi lang insentibo, ito ay pundasyon ng pagkatuto. Kapag may lakas ang katawan, mas handa ang bata sa pagbabasa, pakikinig, at pag-unawa (Food is not only an incentive, it is the foundation of learning. A child with full nutrition is ready to read, listen and understand),” Angara said.
Angara said the BBMP, which is focused on early grade readers, recorded an 80.83 percent average attendance rate from its more than 70,000 beneficiaries over five weeks.
“In schools where snacks and reward-based systems were in place, teachers reported improved participation, reduced absenteeism, and greater learner engagement,” the DepEd report said.
Post-program assessments showed a 32.85 percent increase in Grade 3 learners reading at grade level in Filipino and 26.04 percent in English, while the number of “Low Emerging” readers dropped significantly.
Under the NLC, over 1.13 million learners across 157 school divisions benefited from a 15-day learning intervention that focused on Reading and Mathematics.
Angara said all participating learners were provided with hot meals and nutritious food products throughout the program, helping ensure consistent attendance and cognitive readiness during the sessions.
“Field reports from various regions indicated that the provision of food support, whether through school-based snacks, home-distributed meals, or LGU assistance, helped stabilize attendance and learner morale,” the DepEd chief said adding that in some divisions, local officials supported food distribution logistics while school officials integrated feeding into daily instructional time.
Angara also acknowledged the growing role of the private sector in supporting the DepEd summer programs, noting that several companies, foundations, and civic organizations provided in-kind support such as snacks, hygiene kits, and reading materials, in partnership with local school divisions.
NOT AGAINST K-12
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro yesterday clarified and emphasized that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is not against the Kindergarten to 12th grade or senior high school (K to 12) curriculum despite the frustration that he had shared about the program.
Castro, in a briefing in Malacanang, said the President is committed to continuing to implement the law, as well as to improve and ensure that it would truly become beneficial to students.
“Hindi naman po siya tutol talaga sa K-12, aayusin po ngayon… ngayon na nandidiyan po ang batas, ito po ay bibigyan po ng halaga at palalawigin at pagagandahin pa po (He is not really against K-12, it would be fixed … now, there is a law, this will be given importance and improved),” she said.
Castro said the Department of Education, under Angara, is reviewing and finding ways to improve it and make the quality of basic education in the country better.
Marcos, in particular, wants to ensure that the Senior High School component of the K to 12 curriculum will eventually be able to help its graduates acquire high-quality jobs in the future.
Republic Act 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 institutionalized the K to 12 program and restructured the basic education by requiring Filipino students to undergo one year in kindergarten, six years in primary school, four years in junior high school, and two years in senior high school in a bid to improve their knowledge and skills, provide them with an education that is at par with other countries.
