Edukalidad

“Sulong EduKalidad,” an educational reform program aimed at
achieving quality in basic education. Briones explained that “Sulong

EduKalidad” will have “KITE” as its four key reform areas: K-to-12
curriculum review and update; improvement of the learning environment;
teachers’ upskilling and reskilling; and engagement of stakeholders for
support and collaboration
The Core Components of Sulong EduKalidad

1. K to 12 curriculum review and update
The first challenge is to produce a new breed of learners – learners who

think critically. Critical thinking is not about teaching our children to criticize.
It is about breaking apart a problem or an issue or a challenge, and using
foundational and specialized knowledge and skills, especially in Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), to find solutions and
innovations.
But we must balance our education with humanities, and that is where the
social science in education comes in. Ministers of Education agree that
even if AI is on the rise, even if FIRe is on the rise, we have to retrieve our
humanity. Three years ago, I asked high school students, “can AI produce
a play like Shakespeare did? Romeo and Juliet?
Or can AI produce a symphony like Beethoven?” Their answer was no. A

few months ago, I asked the same question to certain groups, “Can AI
produce this? Can AI produce that?” Their answer was a resounding yes.
My son who is a painter, a studio arts graduate of the University of the

Philippines, combines IT digital imaging with painting; and that is perhaps
the direction at present – the fusion of human skills with AI. If we
concentrate only on catching up on science and technology, but forget
history, culture, and arts, what makes us different? Where will we Filipinos
get our soul?
Thus, the first core component of Sulong EduKalidad is the review and
updating of the K to 12 curriculum. I have also directed the setting up of a
Futures Thinking Unit at DepEd, so that we can think about, and adapt our
curriculum to, the future.
2. Improving the learning environment

There is also a challenge for us to improve our facilities and equipment. We
at DepEd are trying to distribute computers as fast as possible. In Taguig,
which is my favorite example, the local government helps DepEd ensure
that each of their students has a computer. Some of their classrooms are
also already equipped with smart blackboards.
Beyond physical facilities, we must also ensure that our schools are safe
spaces for learning. We must be able to give our learners a learning
environment where they are able to share their thoughts, views and
experiences without fear of judgment, and where we are able to empower
them to make informed and responsible decisions.
Thus, the second pillar of Sulong Edukalidad will be to sustain the

improvements in our learning environment, in terms of physical facilities,
learning resources, and safe and nurturing schools.
3. Teachers’ upskilling and reskilling
Arguably the most crucial challenge, is with our teachers. With fast
changing standards of education quality, our teachers must be able to
constantly keep up with the times. As I have said many times, the battle for
quality basic education will be fought and won inside the classroom, by our
teachers.
Teaching requires continuous innovation. I have seen new ways of

teaching. I read a textbook in Mathematics which revolves around the story
of Juan Tamad. Local themes, as well as issues, were embedded in the
story of Juan Tamad. I stayed up to 3 o’clock in the morning reading a
textbook about a subject that I hate.
Jesus Insilada, a teacher in a rural town, was able to get awards and
recognition since he innovated and upgraded his way of teaching. That is
what we want our teachers to absorb, to be able to innovate and be
relevant to the changing times.
Thus, the third pillar of Sulong EduKalidad is the reskilling and upskilling of
our teachers. We will be investing and giving our full support to our
teachers for their in- service professional development, and provide the
proper incentives through career progression and promotion opportunities
as they develop their teaching proficiency.
Already, we have secured the approval of the President and the Cabinet to
expand the levels of teacher positions by adding Teacher 4 to Teacher 7,
with higher salary grades, to the existing Teacher 1 to Teacher 3. This will
allow for broader promotions opportunities for our teachers as they
advance in their professional development.
4. Engagement of stakeholders for support and collaboration
Finally, we will need the help of all sectors and communities. Our
experience is that everyone, whether local governments, parents, alumni
associations, NGOs, the private sector, development partners, is ready to
contribute to the education of our children.
Thus, the fourth pillar of Sulong Edukalidad is the engagement of

stakeholders for support and collaboration. In our push for quality, we will
need more than contributions of physical facilities, which is what we have
been used to. We need to deepen our engagement to consultation,
collaborative research and analysis, and high level advice to strategic
policy, planning and programming for quality. This is the reason why a few
weeks ago, we convened the Philippine Forum for Education Quality, to
provide us a coalition for quality education that can sustain itself across
administration transitions.
The learner at the center of Sulong Edukalidad
At the center of Sulong EduKalidad is the Filipino learner. The first letters of
the four pillars of Sulong Edukalidad form the word KITE. Sulong
EduKalidad is our commitment to help our learners achieve their full
potential, for their kite of dreams to fly high through quality basic education
for all.
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday
presented the development and implementation of its Last
Mile Schools Program which aims to address the gaps in
resources and facilities of schools that are located in
geographically isolated and disadvantaged and conflict-
affected areas (GIDCA).

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“Sulong EduKalidad,” an educational reform program aimed at

achieving quality in basic education. Briones explained that “Sulong

The Core Components of Sulong EduKalidad

The first challenge is to produce a new breed of learners – learners who

Or can AI produce a symphony like Beethoven?” Their answer was no. A

My son who is a painter, a studio arts graduate of the University of the

2. Improving the learning environment

Thus, the second pillar of Sulong Edukalidad will be to sustain the

3. Teachers’ upskilling and reskilling

Teaching requires continuous innovation. I have seen new ways of

4. Engagement of stakeholders for support and collaboration

Thus, the fourth pillar of Sulong Edukalidad is the engagement of

The learner at the center of Sulong Edukalidad

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