Republic Act 10157, or "The Kindergarten Education Act" made Kindergarten the compulsory and mandatory entry stage to basic education. Section 2 of this Act provides that all five (5)-year old children shall be given equal opportunities for Kindergarten Education to effectively promote their physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development, including values formation, so they will be ready for school. The Department of Education (DepEd) believes that Kindergarten is the transition period from informal to formal literacy (Grades 1–12), considering that age five (5) is within the critical years in which positive experiences must be nurtured to ascertain school readiness. Extensive research has shown that this is the period of greatest growth and development, during which the brain continuously develops most rapidly and almost at its fullest. It is also the stage when self-esteem, vision of the world, moral foundations are established, and their mind’s absorptive capacity for learning is at its sharpest. Teachers/parents/caregivers/adults should therefore be guided to facilitate explorations of our young learners in an engaging, creative, and child-centered curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and which immerses them in meaningful experiences. Provision of varied play-based activities leads them to becoming emergent literates and helps them to naturally acquire the competencies to develop holistically. They are able to understand the world by exploring their environment, as they are encouraged to create and discover, which eventually leads them to becoming willing risk takers and ready to tackle formal school work. Section 5 of said Republic Act also state the adoption of the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE). Therefore, the mother tongue of the learner shall be the primary medium of instruction for teaching and learning in kindergarten.
Kaugnay nito, layunin ng pagtuturo ng Filipino na malinang ang (1) kakayahang komunikatibo, (2) replektibo / mapanuring pag-iisip at, (3) pagpapahalagang pampanitikan ng mga mag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng mga babasahin at teknolohiya tungo sa pagkakaroon ng pambansang pagkakakilanlan, kultural na literasi, at patuloy na pagkatuto upang makaagapay sa mabilis na pagbabagong nagaganap sa daigdig. Sa ikatatamo ng mithiing ito, kailangan ng mga kagamitang panturo ng mga guro bilang suporta sa kurikulum na magmumula sa administrasyon, ahensiyang panlipunan, pribado at publiko, pamahalaang lokal, midya, tahanan at iba pang sektor ng lipunan. Isinaalang-alang sa pagbuo ng kurikulum ang pangangailangang panlipunan, lokal at global na pamayanan, maging ang kalikasan at pangangailangan ng mga mag-aaral. Pinagbatayan din ang mga legal na batas pang-edukasyon, at mga teoryang pilosopikal ng edukasyon at wika nina Jean Piaget (Developmental Stages of Learning), Leo Vygotsky (Cooperative Learning), Jerome Bruner (Discovery Learning), Robert Gagne (Heirarchical Learning ), David Ausubel (Interactive/Integrated Learning),Cummins (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills-BICS at Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency Skills-CALPS) at ng ating pambansang bayaning si Dr. Jose P. Rizal na nagsabing “nasa kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan”. Dahil ang Filipino ay nasa disiplina ng wika, pinagbatayan ang mga teorya sa kalikasan at pagkatuto ng wika, mga teorya / simulain sa pagsusuring panliterasi at mga pagdulog sa pagtuturo ng wika (W1, W2, W3) at pagtuturo ng mga akdang pampanitikan at tekstong palahad.
Mother Tongue – Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) is the government’s banner program for education as a salient part of the implementation of the K to 12 Basic Education Program. Its significance is underscored by the passing of Republic Act 10523, otherwise known as the “Enhanced Basic Educatiion Act of 2013.” MTBMLE is education, formal or non - formal, in which the learner’s mother tongue and additional languages are used in the classroom. Learners begin their education in the language they understand best - their mother tongue - and develop a strong foundation in their mother language before adding additional languages. Research stresses the fact that children with a solid foundation in their mother tongue develop stronger literacy abilities in the school language. Their knowledge and skills transfer across languages. This bridge enables the learners to use both or all their languages for success in school and for lifelong learning. In terms of cognitive development, the school activities will engage learners to move well beyond th basic wh-questions to cover all higher order thinking skills in L1 which they can transfer to the other languages once enough Filipino or English has been acquired to use these skills in thinking and articulating thoughts. With the nd goal of making Filipino children lifelong learners in their Li (MT), L2 (Filipino, the national language), and L3 (English, the global language) the learners are more thatn prepared to develop the competencies in the different learning areas. This will serve as their passport to enter and achieve well in the mainstream educational system and in the end, contribute productively to their community and to the larger society as well as Multilingual, Multiliterate, and Multi-Cultural Citizens of the country. For the effective implementation of the MTB-MLE, it is suggested that the two-track method be used, that is the primer track to focus on accuracy and the story track to focus on meaning. Learning via the two-track method to gain proficiency in leteracy as well as comprehend academic content and gain curriculum mastery, creative and critical thinking skills for decisive decision-making.
Language is the basis of all communication and the primary instrument of thought. Thinking, learning, and language are interrelated. Language is governed by rules and systems (language conventions) which are used to explore and communicate meaning. It defines culture which is essential in understanding oneself (personal identity), forming interpersonal relationships (socialization), extending experiences, reflecting on thought and action, and contributing to a better society. Language, therefore, is central to the peoples’ intellectual, social and emotional development and has an essential role in all key learning areas.Language is the foundation of all human relationships. All human relationships are established on the ability of people to communicate effectively with each other. Our thoughts, values and understandings are developed and expressed through language. This process allows students to understand better the world in which they live and contributes to the development of their personal perspectives of the global community. People use language to make sense of and bring order to their world. Therefore, proficiency in the language enables people to access, process and keep abreast of information, to engage with the wider and more diverse communities, and to learn about the role of language in their own lives, and in their own and other cultures.
Mathematics from K-10 is a skills subject. By itself, it is all about quantities, shapes and figures, functions, logic, and reasoning. Mathematics is also a tool of science and a language complete with its own notations and symbols and “grammar” rules, with which concepts and ideas are effectively expressed. The contents of mathematics include Numbers and Number Sense, Measurement, Geometry, Patterns & Algebra and Statistics and Probability. Numbers and Number Sense as a strand include concepts of numbers, properties, operations, estimation, and their applications. Measurement as a strand includes the use of numbers and measures to describe, understand, and compare mathematical and concrete objects. It focuses on attributes such as length, mass and weight, capacity, time, money, and temperature, as well as applications involving perimeter, area, surface area, volume, and angle measure. Geometry as a strand includes properties of two- and three-dimensional figures and their relationships, spatial visualization, reasoning, and geometric modelling and proofs. Patterns and Algebra as a strand studies patterns, relationships, and changes among shapes and quantities. It includes the use of algebraic notations and symbols, equations, and most importantly, functions, to represent and analyze relationships. Statistics and Probability as a strand is all about developing skills in collecting and organizing data using charts, tables, and graphs; understanding, analyzing and interpreting data; dealing with uncertainty; and making predictions about outcomes. The K to 10 Mathematics Curriculum provides a solid foundation for Mathematics at Grades 11 to 12. More importantly, it pro vides necessary concepts and life skills needed by Filipino learners as they proceed to the next stage in their life as learners and as citizens of the Philippines.
Science education aims to develop scientific literacy among learners that will prepare them to be informed and participative citizens who are able to make judgments and decisions regarding applications of scientific knowledge that may have social, health, or environmental impacts. The science curriculum recognizes the place of science and technology in everyday human affairs. It integrates science and technology in the social, economic, personal and ethical aspects of life. The science curriculum promotes a strong link between science and technology, including indigenous technology, thus preserving our country’s cultural heritage. The K to 12 science curriculum will provide learners with a repertoire of competencies important in the world of work and in a knowledge-based society. It envisions the development of scientifically, technologically, and environmentally literate and productive members of society who are critical problem solvers, responsible stewards of nature, innovative and creative citizens, informed decision makers, and effective communicators. This curriculum is designed around the three domains of learning science: understanding and applying scientific knowledge in local setting as well as global context whenever possible, performing scientific processes and skills, and developing and demonstrating scientific attitudes and values. The acquisition of these domains is facilitated using the following approaches: multi/interdisciplinary approach, science- technology-society approach, contextual learning, problem/issue-based learning, and inquiry-based approach. The approaches are based on sound educational pedagogy namely, constructivism, social cognition learning model, learning style theory, and brain-based learning. Science content and science processes are intertwined in the K to 12 Curriculum. Without the content, learners will have difficulty utilizing science process skills since these processes are best learned in context. Organizing the curriculum around situations and problems that challenge and arouse learners’ curiosity motivates them to learn and appreciate science as relevant and useful. Rather than relying solely on textbooks, varied hands-on, minds-on, and hearts-on activities will be used to develop learners’ interest and let them become active learners. As a whole, the K to 12 science curriculum is learner-centered and inquiry-based, emphasizing the use of evidence in constructing explanations. Concepts and skills in Life Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, and Earth Sciences are presented with increasing levels of complexity from one grade level to another in spiral progression, thus paving the way to a deeper understanding of core concepts. The integration across science topics and other disciplines will lead to a meaningful understanding of concepts and its application to real-life situations.
Naging batayan ng K-12 Araling Panlipunan Kurikulum ang mithiin ng “Edukasyon para sa Lahat 2015” (Education for All 2015) at ang K-12 Philippine Basic Education Curriculum Framework. Layon ng mga ito na magkaroon ng mga kakayahang kinakailangang sa siglo 21 upang makalinang ng “functionally literate and developed Filipino.” Kaya naman, tiniyak na ang mga binuong nilalaman, pamantayang pangnilalalaman at pamantayan sa pagganap sa bawat baitang ay makapag-aambag sa pagtatamo ng nasabing mithiin. Sa pag-abot ng nasabing mithiin, tunguhin (goal) ng K-12 Kurikulum ng Araling Panlipunan ang makahubog ng mamamayang mapanuri, mapagmuni, mapanagutan, produktibo, makakalikasan, makabansa at makatao na may pambansa at pandaigdigang pananaw at pagpapahalaga sa mga usaping pangkasaysayan at panlipunan. Katuwang sa pagkamit ng layuning ito ay ang pagsunod sa teorya sa pagkatuto na kontruktibismo, magkatuwang na pagkatuto (collaborative learning), at pagkatutong pangkaranasan at pangkonteksto at ang paggamit ng mga pamaraang tematiko-kronolohikal at paksain/ konseptuwal, pagsisiyat, intregratibo, interdesiplinaryo at multisiplinaryo. Sa pagkamit ng nasabing adhikain, mithi ng kurikulum na mahubog ang pag-iisip (thinking), perpekstibo at pagpapahalagang pangkasaysayan at sa iba pang disiplina ng araling panlipunan ng mag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng magkasabay na paglinang sa kanilang kaalaman at kasanayang pang-disiplina. Mula sa unang baitang hanggang ika-labindalawang baitang, naka-angkla (anchor) ang mga paksain at pamantayang pang-nilalaman at pamantayan sa pagganap ng bawat yunit sa pitong tema: I) tao, kapaligiran at lipunan 2)panahon, pagpapatuloy at pagbabago, 3) kutlura, pananagutan at pagkabansa, 4) karapatan, pananagutan at pagkamamamayan 5) kapangyarihan, awtoridad at pamamahala, 6)produksyon, distibusyon at pagkonsumo 7) at ungnayang pangrehiyon at pangmundo Samantala, ang kasanayan sa iba’t-ibang disiplina ng araling panlipunan tulad pagkamalikhain, mapanuring pag-iisip at matalinong pagpapasya , pagsasaliksik/ pagsisiyasat, kasanayang pangkasaysayan at Araling Panlipunan, at pakikipagtalastasan at pagpapalawak ng pandaigdigan pananaw, ay kasabay na nalilinang ayon sa kinakailangang pag-unawa at pagkatuto ng mag-aaral sa paraang expanding. Sa ibang salita, layunin ng pagtuturo ng K-12 Araling Panlipunan na malinang sa mag-aaral ang pag-unawa sa mga pangunahing kaisipan at isyung pangkasaysayan, pangheograpiya, pampulitika, ekonomiks at kaugnay na disiplinang panlipunan upang siya ay makaalam, makagawa, maging ganap at makipamuhay (Pillars of Learning). Binibigyang diin sa kurikulum ang pag-unawa at hindi pagsasaulo ng mga konsepto at terminolohiya. Bilang pagpapatunay ng malalim na pag-unawa, ang mag-aaral ay kinakailangang makabuo ng sariling kahulugan at pagpapakahulugan sa bawat paksang pinag-aaralan at ang pagsasalin nito sa ibang konteksto lalo na ang aplikasyon nito sa tunay na buhay na may kabuluhan mismo sa kanya at sa lipunang kanyang ginagalawan.
Technology and Livelihood Education encompasses the field of Home Economics (H.E.); Industrial Arts (IA); Agri-Fishery Arts (AFA); and Information, Communication. and Technology (ICT). The 24 TLE courses can be categorized under any of these fields. TLE as a course has two streams—the TR-based TLE and the Entrepreneur-based TLE—and every school has a choice as to which stream to offer, with consideration forfaculty, facilities, and resources. Both streams are based on the Training Regulations, but the Entrepreneur-based TLE embeds entrepreneurship concepts in the teaching of the various subjects in HE , IA, AFA, and ICT. TLE is geared toward the development of technological proficiency and is anchored on knowledge and information, entrepreneurial concepts, process and delivery, work values, and lifeskills. This means that the TLE that works is one which is built on adequate mastery of knowledge and information, skills and processes, and the acquisition of right work values and life skills. The TLE that is functional is one whichequips students with skills for lifelong learning. TLE that is concerned only with mere definition of terms is meaningless and shallow. TLE that is focused on mastery of skills and processes without right work values is anemic and dangerous. An effective TLE is one that is founded on the cognitive, behavioral, or psychomotor and affective dimensions of human development. Therefore teaching TLE means teaching facts, concepts, skills, and values in their entirety. The diagram likewise shows that entrepreneurial concepts also form part of the foundation of quality TLE. It is expected that TLE students, after using the Learning Modules on Entrepreneurship-based TLE, imbibe the entrepreneurial spirit and consequently set up their own businesses in the areas of Agri-Fishery Arts, Industrial Arts, Home Economics, and Information and Communication Technology. TLE by its nature is dominantly a skill subject; hence the teacher must engage students in an experiential, contextualized, and authentic teaching-learning process. It is a subject in whichstudentslearn best by doing. It is integrative in approach. For instance, it integrates entrepreneurship with all the areas of TLE. It integrates concepts, skills, and values.
Both the Music and the Arts curricula focus on the learner as recipient of the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for artistic expression and cultural literacy. The design of the curricula is student-centered, based on spiral progression of processes, concepts and skills and grounded in performance-based learning. Thus, the learner is empowered, through active involvement and participation, to effectively correlate music and art to the development of his/her own cultural identity and the expansion of his/her vision of the world. As Music and Arts are performance-based disciplines, effective learning occurs through active experience, participation, and performance, creative expression, aesthetic valuation, critical response, and interpretation. The skills that are developed include reading/analyzing, listening/observing, performing, (singing, using musical instruments, movement, acting, and playing, using different art materials, techniques and processes, responding, composing, and creating. (See Figure 1 and Figure 2) The philosophical foundations upon which standards and competencies are based include: A Process of Education by Jerome Bruner, Performance-Based Learning by Cleve Miller, Aesthetic Education by Bennett Reimer, Multiple Intelligences by Howard Gardner, A Structure for Music Education by Ronald Thomas, Gongs and Bamboo by Jose Maceda, Compendium on the Humanities: Musical Arts produced by the National Research Council of the Philippines, Cultural Dictionary for Filipinos by Thelma Kintanar and Associates, Creative and Mental Growth by Viktor Lowenfeld and W. Lambert Brittain, Discipline-Based Art Education by Elliot Eisner, Encyclopedia of Philippine Arts and Tuklas Sining, both produced by the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
Fitness and movement education content is the core of the K to 12 PE Curriculum. It includes value, knowledge, skills and experiences in physical activity participation in order to (1) achieve and maintain health-related fitness (HRF), as well as (2) optimize health. In particular, it hopes to instill an understanding of why HRF is important so that the learner can translate HRF knowledge into action. Thus, self-management is an important skill. In addition, this curriculum recognizes the view that fitness and healthy physical activity (PA) behaviors must take the family and other environmental settings (e.g. school, community and larger society) into consideration. This curricular orientation is a paradigm shift from the previous sports-dominated PE curriculum aimed at athletic achievement. Move to learn is the context of physical activity as the means for learning, while Learn to move embodies the learning of skills, and techniques and the acquisition of understanding that are requisites to participation in a variety of physical activities that include exercise, games, sports, dance and recreation.
The Kindergarten to Grade 12 (“K to 12”) Health curriculum aims to assist the Filipino learner in attaining, sustaining and promoting life-long health and wellness. The learning experience through the program provides opportunities for the development of health literacy competencies among students and to enhance their over-all well-being. Health Education from Kindergarten to Grade 10 focuses on the physical, mental, emotional, as well as the social, moral and spiritual dimensions of holistic health. It enables the learners to acquire essential knowledge, attitudes, and skills that are necessary to promote good nutrition; to prevent and control diseases; to prevent substance misuse and abuse; to reduce health-related risk behaviors; to prevent and control injuries with the end-view of maintaining and improving personal, family, community, as well as global health. Health Education emphasizes the development of positive heath attitudes and relevant skills in order to achieve a good quality of living. Thus, the focus on skills development is explicitly demonstrated in the primary grade levels. Meanwhile, a comprehensive body of knowledge is provided in the upper year levels to serve as a foundation in developing desirable health attitudes, habits and practices. In order to facilitate the development of health literacy competencies, the teacher is highly encouraged to use developmentally-appropriate learner-centered teaching approaches. This includes scaffolding on student experience and prior learning; utilizing culture-responsive scenarios and materials; incorporating arts, and music in imparting health messages; engaging learners in meaningful games and cooperative learning activities; and using life skills and value-based strategies particularly in discussing sensitive topics such as substance abuse and sexuality. The teacher is also advised to use differentiated instruction in order to cater to the learners’ various needs and abilities.
Ang Batayang Konseptwal ng Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao ay batay sa pilosopiyang Personalismo tungkol sa pagkatao ng tao at sa Etika ng Kabutihang Asal (Virtue Ethics). Ayon sa pilosopiya ng Personalismo, nakaugat lagi sa pagpapakatao ang ating mga ugnayan. Nililikha natin ang ating pagpapakatao sa ating pakikipagkapwa. Sa Virtue Ethics naman, sinasabing ang isang mabuting tao ay nagsasabuhay ng mga virtue o mabuting gawi (habits) at umiiwas sa mga bisyo o masamang gawi. Samakatwid, ang nagpapabuti sa tao ay ang pagtataglay at ang pagsasabuhay ng mga mabuting gawi. Sa murang edad na 6 hanggang 12 taon, maaaring hindi pa lubos na maunawaan ng isang bata ang kanyang pagkatao bilang tao ayon sa paLiwanag ng pilosopiyang Personalismo. Ngunit maaari siyang sanayin sa mga virtue at pagpapahalaga upang lumaki siyang isang mabuting tao. Sa mga edad na ito, mauunawaan niya na dapat siyang magpakabuti hindi lamang sapagkat ito ang inaasahan sa kanya ng lipunan kundi dahil tao siya - may dignidad at likas ang pagiging mabuti. May dignidad ang tao dahil siya ay bukod-tangi at may ugnayan sa kanyang kapwa, sa Diyos, at kalikasan. Ang Interaktibong Teorya ng Pagkatuto (Social Learning Theory) ni Albert Bandura, Pagkatutong Pangkaranasan (Experiential Learning) ni David Kolb, Konstruktibismo (Constructivism) at Teorya ng Pamimili ng Kurso (Theory of Career Development) ni Ginzberg, et. al. at Super ang iba pang teorya na nagpapaLiwanag kung paano natututo ang mag-aaral sa EsP. Ayon sa paLiwanag ng Interaktibong Teorya ng Pagkatuto (Social Learning Theory) ni Albert Bandura, maaaring makuha sa pagmamasid sa ibang tao ang mga pagkatuto tulad ng pagkakaroon ng mabuting ugali at bagong impormasyon. Ayon pa rin sa teoryang ito, mahalaga ang mga iniisip ng tao sa kanyang pagkatuto ngunit hindi nangangahulugang magbubunga ito ng pagbabago sa kilos. Ang mga karanasan din ang pinagkukunan ng mga pagkatuto ayon kay David Kolb at sa Teorya ng Pagkatuto ng Konstruktibismo. Ayon saTeorya ng Pagkatutong Pangkaranasan ni Kolb, ang mga nasa edad (adults) ay natututo sa pamamagitan ng kanilang pagninilay sa kanilang mga karanasan, pagbuo ng mga konklusyon o insight mula sa mga ito, at paglalapat ng mga ito sa angkop na mga sitwasyon ng buhay. Sinusuportahan ang pananaw ni Kolb ng Teorya ng Konstruktibismo. Sinasabi ng teoryang ito nanagkakaroon ng pagkatuto ang tao at gumagawa ng kabuluhan (meaning) batay sa kanyang mga karanasan.Naipamamalas ito sa pagtuturo sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng tuon sa mag-aaral. Nagkakaroon siya ng mga bagong pagkatuto gamit ang mga tanong ng guro at ng kanyang malikhaing paraan. Nailalapat ang mga pagkatutong ito sa paggawa ng mga pasiya tulad ng kukuning kurso o propesyon. Ayon sa Teorya ng Career Development nina Ginzberg, et. al. at Super, dumadaan sa iba’t ibang yugto ang pagpapasya ng bata ukol sa kurso o propesyon batay sa kanyang pagtingin sa sarili (self-concept), saloobin (attitude) at mga pagpapahalaga. Tinatanggap o tinatanggihan niya ang isang kurso o trabaho batay sa obserbasyon niya (halimbawa, mga kilos ng kanyang magulang ayon sa propesyon nito) at sa tinuturing niyang mahalaga (halimbawa, malaking sweldo o paglilingkod sa lipunan).