Teachers from the Ilocos Region tapped to pilot the MATATAG curriculum have reported more productive teaching period. Department of Education (DepEd) Ilocos Region Director Dr. Tolentino Aquino, during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas forum hosted by the Philippine Information Agency on Tuesday, said around 16,000 teachers in the region have been trained for the pilot-testing of the curriculum in Kindergarten, Grades 1, 4, and 7 in the last school year. DepEd piloted the curriculum in 35 schools around the country --five schools each in seven regions, for school year 2023-2024. For the Ilocos Region, the schools tapped last school year were from the towns of Bangar, Bauang, Caba, Sto. Tomas, and Tubao towns in La Union. 'The teachers testified that their workloads have been decongested and they had more time to teach, thus the mastery in teaching,' Aquino said. For the current school year, Aquino said five other schools in La Union have been tapped for the pilot-testing for grades 2, 3, 5, and 8. These ar e Cabaruan Integrated School, Caba Central Elementary School, Acao Elementary School, Casacristo National High School, and Don Rufino Olarte Memorial National High School. MATATAG curriculum aims to lessen subjects but focuses on core abilities like reading, numeracy, and life skills. It has four pillars namely making the curriculum more relevant to produce competent, job-ready, active, and responsible citizens; taking steps to accelerate the delivery of basic education facilities and services; taking good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusive education, and a positive learning environment; and giving support to teachers to teach better. Aquino said reduction in the curriculum is supported by education experts, including those from other countries. Citing what the educators told them, Aquino added the teachers said they are always on the rush under the current K-12 curriculum, and do not have enough time to do all their tasks. Source: Philippines News Agency