As in-person classes commenced for school year 2022-2023, Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture visited a school under the Division of Davao City for a consultative meeting and classroom observation on September 9, 2022.
The national consultative assembly which gathered leaders of the Department of Education Regional Office XI, made possible a focus group discussion (FGD) with Marilog District, SDO Davao City school administrators and teachers on the issues and concerns for the implementation of the Mother Tongue-based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) Program.
“We found out sa research ni Kat (referring to Atty. Katryn C. Cadiente) na meron tayong 181-187 different languages in the Philippines, and ang mayroong orthography doon is 130 lang. Ang orthography is basic yan, kung walang orthography mahirap magturo…. In fact, I found out this morning lang na ang Davao Bisaya maraming variations rin…pupunta ka sa Davao Oriental iba na pala, pumunta ka sa Occidental o Del Sur iba naman,” Senator Gatchalian said in his speech.
He acknowledged migration patterns among families of learners due to family and economic reasons which leads to differences in dialects used and mother-tongue practiced at home.
Senator Gatchalian visited the classrooms of kindergarten to grade three learners of Marahan West Elementary School in Marilog District to observe in-person classes.
“Senator Win Gatchalian visited the kindergarten pupils of Teacher Benilda I. Jala, who was seven months pregnant but was still very energetic while teaching her class composed of 72 kids, who were divided into two sets. Senator Win asked questions and was trying to play with the learners who were in turn very participative as well,” Dr. Jean Fe Colango, Marilog A District Supervisor said.
PSDS Colango also reported that the grade one classroom observation composed of 44 learners, led by Teacher Anisa B. Ubatay went well as planned. She said that the observer was quite impressed with the readiness of the teacher in using the MTB-MLE Program and her teaching strategies especially when the teacher handled the individual differences among learners calmly and politely.
“Teacher Mary Jean S. Camomot a grade three adviser handled the classroom observation satisfactorily, in fact, Senator Win and the Education Program Supervisors requested another topic to be discussed in class and they were very impressed as the teacher has shown mastery in teaching a new lesson using MTB-MLE,” Dr. Rosalinda D. Cabig, Marilog B District Supervisor shared her observation.
Senator Gatchalian also left positive feedback as he personally witnessed how Marahan West Elementary School teachers organized their library and produced localized Big Books with stories originally written by its teachers.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa inyo dahil alam ko busy ho kayo lalo na ngayon Friday, mayroong klase, but nandito po kami, kaya Friday ang pinunta natin para makita natin talaga on the ground yung nangyayari sa loob ng classroom,” Senator Gatchalian expressed.
The event which also targeted data collection on the Early Language, Literacy and Numeracy (ELLN) Program was participated by the Regional Office XI team headed by Regional Director Allan G. Farnazo, Assistant Regional Director Ma. Ines C. Asuncion, CLMD Chief Mary Jeanne B. Aldeguer, Education Program Supervisor George N. Wong and Education Program Supervisor Analiza C. Almazan. SDO Davao City’s Schools Division Superintendent Reynaldo M. Guillena was also represented by Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Jinky B. Firman, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Marilyn V. Deduyo, CID Chief Alma C. Cifra, Education Program Supervisor Janete B. Esteban, Education Program Supervisor Rene P. Sultan, Education Program Supervisor May Ann M. Jumuad, Public Schools District Supervisor and MTB-MLE Division Coordinator Danilo M. Canda, Engr. Christian Lloyd Rosario, Education Program Specialist Jonas P. Piore, Public Schools District Supervisor and IPED Coordinator Alma I. Tac-on, Public Schools District Supervisor Jean Fe A. Colango, Public Schools District Supervisor Rosalinda D. Cabig and Public Schools District Supervisor and Division Reading Coordinator Narmela P. Espedido. The teams were welcomed by previous school head Aubrey Christian J. Dura and present school head Mr. Ronald G. Poticar.
By: Janice C. Abrea
(with report from Maricor C. Castillo)