US supports teacher training for K to 12 implementation

The United States is supporting the implementation of the Philippines’ K to 12 (Kindergarten to Year 12) basic education program by facilitating and developing materials for teacher training.

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) recently trained 20 chief trainers of the Department of Education (DepEd) in grade school Filipino and English instruction.

Teacher training is a critical component of the initiative that aims to bring the country’s education system at par with international standards. The government is implementing the K to 12 program, which adds two years to the current 10-year basic education scheme, in phases.

The USAID’s one-day training in Cebu used demonstration videos and reference materials on Filipino and English teaching developed under the agency’s Basa Pilipinas Program, the embassy said.

The Cebu participants will handle the training of 600 master trainers in English and Filipino, who will  be sent around the country to train some 50,000 Grade 2 teachers.

US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr., in his remarks at the seminar, said his government looked forward to supporting the Philippines’ efforts to improve Filipino children’s reading and comprehension skills, essential components of good education and keys to growth.

DepEd Metro Manila’s chief trainer, master teacher Leah Bautista, said the training gave her fresh ideas for training her fellow educators.

She said the training made her more confident as a facilitator, as she learned to let go of old ideas and become more receptive to new teaching and learning techniques.

The Filipino and English teacher training is part of the US government’s efforts to help develop Filipino children as early readers. The program aims to improve reading skills among some 1 million primary schoolers in the next four years.

The embassy said the initiative supported the DepEd’s education reform efforts to increase the quality of reading instruction through enhanced teaching of reading and increased access to quality reading materials.

USAID Philippines mission director Gloria Steele said the Basa Pilipinas project was developed in close consultation with DepEd officials at all levels.

K to 12 is the flagship education reform program of the Aquino administration. It aims to improve the quality of Filipino high school graduates by having them spend more time in school.

The program hopes to make young Filipinos more prepared for either employment after high school or college studies.