Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte announced that the National Learning Camp (NLC) will help over 2 million students improve their skills in reading, mathematics, and science. 

The three-week program runs from July 1 to July 19 and aims to address learning losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I am optimistic that this program will continue to yield positive outcomes, improving the foundational literacy, numeracy, and 21st-century skills crucial to our learners’ future success,” Duterte said during the NLC’s Appreciation Program in San Fernando, Cebu, according to the Philippines News Agency.

The NLC targets learners in Grades 1 to 3 and Grades 7 to 10. Duterte emphasized that the camp is part of the Department of Education’s strategy to tackle the “learning crisis” and the poor performance of students in national and international assessments.

“It is part of our response to the low performance of our learners in the National Achievement Test and International Large-Scale Assessments, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment and the Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics,” she added.

Besides academic support, the camp includes fun and engaging activities, such as eye and dental check-ups at select schools. 

This year, around 185,759 teacher-volunteers are participating in the camp.

“Last year, the NLC spanned five weeks, but this year we have reduced it to three weeks due to the adjusted school calendar of SY 2024 to 2025, as classes resume on July 29, marking our return to the pre-pandemic schedule,” Duterte explained.

In 2023, approximately 938,341 learners in Grades 7 and 8 benefited from the first NLC’s intervention, consolidation, and enhancement camps in 34,383 schools nationwide.

Duterte also visited athletes, trainers, and coaches at the Cebu City Medical Center who missed the Palarong Pambansa opening ceremony due to various illnesses. 

“They come from different regions and are admitted due to various illnesses. Many of them are regretful,” she said.

Immediate medical assistance will be provided to the affected participants in coordination with the local government of Cebu.

The DepEd is also involved in other educational events, including the 2024 National Festival of Talents, the National Schools Press Conference, the National Learner’s Convergence, and the Solidarity Meeting of the Learners’ Rights and Protection Office in Cebu.