April 19, 2024- Aurora State College of Technology’s School of Education organized the “Navigating the Matatag Curriculum: Strategies for Implementation and Student Success” program. The program commenced with a message from Dr. Rowel G. Olila, Dean of the School of Education. “Education must respond to the needs of the times for it to become relevant and appropriate to the concerns of the present. The Matatag curriculum is a timely innovation in the hope of bringing about the noble purpose of education for Filipino learners.” Dr. Olila emphasized.
Dr. Vivian M. Carpio, a Public Schools District Supervisor from DepEd Aurora, served as the guest speaker. Dr. Carpio delved into the key aspects of the Matatag Curriculum and discussed the variances from the previous K–12 system. The MATATAG Curriculum seeks to streamline an overcrowded curriculum, ensuring age-appropriate, sequenced learning for stronger literacy, numeracy, and value formation. During the session, she actively engaged the participants in engaging activities, fostering interaction and a deeper understanding of the curriculum.
In an interview with Dr. Carpio, she said, “Ito ‘yung paghahandaan ng ating mga future teachers and educators. Mahalaga na ma-master nila ‘yung mga competencies and 21st century skills like problem solving and digital literacy para maituro nila ng maayos. Kapag nasa field na sila, they are already equipped. Sabi nga, you cannot give what you don’t have.”
She also gave a piece of advice to our future teachers, despite the fact that the landscape of the education system in the Philippines changes from time to time. “Nakapakahalaga ng adaptability at flexibility. Dapat ma-develop sa kanilang mga puso ang kagustuhang magturo. Magbago man ang curriculum at mga leaders, hindi ka mababago ng sistema basta nandoon ‘yung kagustuhan mo. Kapag nandoon ‘yung passion mo sa teaching, ano mang problema ‘di ka bibitaw.”
Overall, the workshop proved to be an enriching experience, equipping attendees with practical tools to navigate and optimize the implementation of the Matatag Curriculum.