Data from the EDCOM 2 shows low participation rates in the NLRP programs Catch-Up Fridays and National Learning Camps.
The Senate Committee on Basic Education is pressing the Department of Education (DepEd) to consolidate its various learning recovery programs to better address significant gaps in literacy and numeracy.
During a recent hearing, EDCOM 2 Co-Chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian revealed that 38% of Grades 1 to 3 learners are non-readers while 48% struggle with basic arithmetic.
He emphasized the urgent need for intervention, saying the students “are not ready for their grade level.”
Gatchalian urged DepEd to streamline its efforts, including the National Learning Recovery Program (NLRP) and an eight-week recovery initiative.
Senator Nancy Binay raised concerns about the incomplete rollout of the NLRP. She questioned why DepEd is proposing a new program when it has not fully implemented the current one.
“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 [because this already has a budget]?” she asked.
Data from the EDCOM 2 shows low participation rates in the NLRP programs Catch-Up Fridays and National Learning Camps.
Professor Lizamarie Olegario from the University of the Philippines College of Education noted that the voluntary nature of these interventions has resulted in minimal student attendance.
“Walang batang uma-attend ng remediation classes [No child is attending the remediation classes]. That’s why we need to integrate these interventions directly into the classroom already,” she said.
Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching Gina Gonong acknowledged that addressing the learning recovery is a long-term challenge.
“This is not something that we’re going to remedy in eight weeks or in one year. It might take us 10 years or 20 years for our students to be grade-level ready,” she added.