Senate approves bill on mother tongue-based learning

The Senate building at the GSIS Complex in Pasay City. (Photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to discontinue the use of the mother tongue as a medium of instruction from Kindergarten to Grade 3.

Senate Bill No. 2457 garnered 22 affirmative, zero negative votes, and zero abstentions during the chamber’s Tuesday plenary session.

In his short manifestation after the bill was approved, Sen. Joel Villanueva thanked Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian — the sponsor of the measure — for accepting his proposed amendments to the bill.

“Nagpapasalamat po tayo sa ating chairperson, Senator Win Gatchalian, sa pagtanggap ng ating mga amendments.  Through language mapping, we will be able to cluster together our students in the same grade level and with a common language into “monolingual classes” to ensure that our Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education will be more effective,” said Villanueva.

(We thank our Chairperson, Senator Win Gatchalian, for accepting our amendments.  Through language mapping, we will be able to cluster together our students in the same grade level and with a common language into monolingual classes to ensure that our Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education will be more effective.)

“Ang kagalingan sa wika ay nagsisimula sa paggamit ng sariling wika at nagbibigay ng matibay na pundasyon para sa pagkuha ng kaalaman, kasanayan, at kakayahan sa lahat ng iba pang larangan ng pag-aaral, kung kaya importanteng parte ng K-to-12 Curriculum ang Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education,” he added.

(Language proficiency begins with the use of one’s own language and provides a strong foundation for the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and abilities in all other areas of learning, therefore an important part of the K-to-12 Curriculum the Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education.)

READ: Gatchalian alarmed most PH schools not ready for mother tongue-based learning

SBN 2457 specifically stated that the medium of instruction in schools shall revert to Filipino and until otherwise provided by law, English, pursuant to the 1987 constitution.

It likewise noted that regional languages shall serve as auxiliary media of instruction.