DepEd integrates EQ in elementary curriculum

Next to improving the intelligence quotient of students, the Department of Education (DepEd) is also focusing on enriching the emotional quotient of learners to support its effort to inculcate the value of cultural heritage among the youth.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said DepEd is now enriching the elementary curriculum with the integration of social emotional learning (SEL) in character education (Edukasyong Pantao). Through this, pupils are expected to develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

“These skills are expected to facilitate academic achievement and develop well-rounded, wholesome individuals,” added Lapus.

“Developing life-long learners in a fast-changing world calls for continuous refinement in education,” he said. He noted that the elementary curriculum would also strengthen values on nationalism and love of cultural heritage while learning would be made more interactive, experiential and ICT-enabled.

Meanwhile, the principal of the Makati Science High School (MSHS), which has consistently topped in national examinations for years, echoed the sentiment.

“We at MSHC do ordinary things, but we do them in extraordinary way,” Dr. Divenelinda dela Cruz, said during 156th general assembly of the Foundation for Upgrading the Standard of Education (FUSE).

The inclusion of SEL in the elementary curriculum is aligned with the Education For All (EFA) thrust that aims to upgrade the quality of basic education by 2015.

The guidelines on SEL and the teaching of Edukasyong Pagpapakatao at Sibika at Kultura/HEKASI that focuses on demonstrating nationalism and love of cultural heritage are contained in DepEd Order No. 71 series of 2009.

Natural songs, folk dances, poems, folklores, other literature and customs and traditions that enrich the Filipino culture will be embedded in the school environment.

The guidelines also stipulated that the Pambansang Awit (Lupang Hinirang) be sung properly following the 2/4 time signature in 57 seconds.

Moreover, the memorandum also prescribed that “Talk Less and Learn More” shall be the prevailing practice in instruction. This can be attained through experiential, interactive, and cooperative learning and utilization of ICT mode of instructions.

Teams teaching for Grades 1 to 3 and Grades 4 to 6 will be encouraged using the expertise of teachers in the learning areas assigned. Team leaders in the area will be the recipients of summer trainig and scholarship programs. — Francis Earl A. Cueto, Manila Times