DepEd to roll out summer programs

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to roll out four summer programs aimed at enhancing literacy and foundational skills among students, in response to learning gaps identified in previous international assessments.

DepEd announced that the initiatives would begin next month, offering targeted support and instruction in reading for students across various grade levels.

The programs include the Bawat Bata Makababasa Program (BBMP), Literacy Remediation Program (LRP), Summer Academic Remedial Program and the Learning Camp.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara urged support for the initiatives, describing them as key components of a broader learning recovery strategy.

“Every Filipino child deserves the chance to read, to understand and to succeed,” he said.

The BBMP will be piloted in the Zamboanga Peninsula and will cater to 75,000 Grade 1 to 3 students identified as struggling readers. It will run from May 8 to June 6.

According to Angara, the BBMP will include daily reading tutorials and engaging activities facilitated by around 7,500 teachers and volunteer tutors.

Pre-service education students may also volunteer to gain relevant experience. They will undergo training and help implement support measures such as providing free snacks and vision screening for learners.

Meanwhile, the LRP will be implemented nationwide and will target 59,627 Grade 3 learners identified as Low Emerging Readers in English.

DepEd will train 14,023 teachers to deliver two-hour daily remediation sessions from May 13 to June 6.

Teachers participating in the summer programs have been undergoing training and will continue through early May.

Angara added participants in the programs will receive service credits and a daily meal allowance.