Press Release - EDCOM 2: DepEd pressed to consolidate and streamline programs for effective...

Challenges to the implementation of the National Learning Recovery Program (NLRP) have been uncovered during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education. EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian, citing data showing the percentage of students with little to none proficiency in literacy and numeracy, implored the Department of Education (DepEd) to consolidate all of its programs geared toward learning recovery.

DepEd is proposing a suspension of the regular academic program for 8 weeks in order to implement a more effective learning recovery program. The proposed program aims to address the widening gaps in students' foundational skills, particularly in literacy and numeracy, following the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent learning disruptions it caused.

"We have the NLRP, the 8-week learning recovery plan, and then the MATATAG Curriculum. The committee supports these, but we just need to look at it from a bigger point of view and assess if implementing this will truly address yung learning gaps natin", Gatchalian said.

"38% of our Grades 1 to 3 learners are non-readers, while 48% struggle with basic arithmetic. These children urgently need intervention. They are not ready for their grade level", he noted.

Incomplete rollout of NLRP

Senator Nancy Binay raised concerns about DepEd's approach, highlighting the incomplete rollout of the National Learning Recovery Program (NLRP).

"We haven't even completely rolled out the NLRP, and DepEd is already proposing another learning recovery program. Shouldn't we prioritize yung complete rollout ng NLRP, kasi ito may budget na ," Binay said.

"Kasi parang yung teachers natin hindi pa nga tapos yung NLRP, tapos ite-train na naman sila for this 8-week learning recovery program, ang hirap na lagi tayong nag-uumpisa without checking kung nagwork nga ba yung inumpisahan na." Binay added.

Data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education points to low participation rates in the Catch-Up Fridays and National Learning Camps, both of which are part of DepEd's NLRP. This was supported by Prof. Lizamarie Olegario from the University of the Philippines College of Education, who noted that the voluntary nature of