‘Catch-Up Fridays’ starts today

THE Department of Education will implement “Catch up Fridays” in all public elementary and secondary schools and community learning centers across the country starting today, Friday.

In a memorandum order dated January 10 signed by Undersecretary Gina Gonong on the authority of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, the program would focus on reading and fostering values, health and peace education.

“Catch-up Fridays is a learning mechanism intended to strengthen the foundational, social and other relevant skills necessary to actualize the intent of the basic education curriculum,” the memorandum said.

It said the initiative is integral in the National Reading and Mathematics Program, which in itself is a critical component of the DepEd’s National Learning Recovery Program or NLRP.

The NLRP is part of the DepEd’s effort to recover lost ground in basic education due to the physical closure of schools for nearly three years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“All Fridays throughout the school year shall be designated as Catch-up Fridays, with a focus on operationalizing the National Reading Program during the first half of the day’s schedule and on fostering values, health and peace education for the second half. Additionally, the Homeroom Guidance Program shall also be included in the Catch-up Fridays,” it added.

The department said the time allotment for each learning area on a Friday shall be used to enhance learners’ knowledge and skills in the appreciation of reading, values, health and peace education.

It stressed that Catch-up Fridays should not be graded.

“Since the main objective is to reinforce learning, individual progress shall be monitored through the Learner’s Reflection Journal, compiling reading experiences learnings, and appreciation of reading, values, health and peace,” the DepEd said.

“Learners may also articulate their thoughts through various forms of writing such as stories, journals, personal essays and other forms of creative expressions that reflect their unique learning experiences,” it added.

Duterte first announced the program in November 2023 at the culmination of the National Reading Month Celebration.

“We need a day where