KEY POINTS: RATIONALE
1. K to 12 Program Goals:
- The K to 12 Basic Education Program was created to better prepare Filipino students for the
demands of the 21st century. It focuses on providing students with the skills and knowledge
needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world. The program also aims to ensure that the
education system in the Philippines meets international standards, making Filipino students
competitive globally.
A comprehensive review of the K to 12 Basic Education Program has revealed several issues, such as
overcrowded curriculum (MAO NANG GI HASHASAN ANG SUBJECTS), misaligned learning competencies,
and imbalanced cognitive demands. To respond appropriately to the issues and challenges faced by the
K to 12 Program, DepEd introduced the MATATAG Curriculum.
“We will rally for an improved learning system in the country. Together, we will rally for
every Filipino child. Para sa isang MATATAG na Bayan. Para sa ating mahal na
Pilipinas,” Duterte emphasized in her Basic Education Report (BER) for 2023.
According to Duterte, MATATAG will have four critical components:
MAke the curriculum relevant to produce competent and job-ready, active, and
responsible citizens;
TAke steps to accelerate delivery of basic education facilities and services;
TAke good care of learners by promoting learner well-being, inclusive education,
and a positive learning environment; and
Give support to teachers to teach better.
2. Challenges in Improving Student Performance:
- Despite the ambitious goals of the K to 12 Program, there hasn't been a significant
improvement in the academic performance of Filipino students, as shown by results from
national and international assessments. This indicates that the program hasn't fully achieved its
intended impact, and more work needs to be done to enhance the quality of education.
3. Need for Curriculum Revisions:
- Research on how students learn and what they need to succeed in the future has highlighted
the importance of updating the curriculum. The education system must adapt to global trends
and the evolving needs of students. This means rethinking and improving the curriculum to
better address these challenges.
4. MATATAG Curriculum Development:
- In response to the identified challenges, the Department of Education, with the help of the
Assessment Curriculum and Technology Research Centre (ACTRC), conducted a review of the
K to 12 curriculum. This review led to the creation of the MATATAG Curriculum. The MATATAG
Curriculum is designed to provide a clear direction for future curriculum development,
addressing gaps in the current system and ensuring that it better meets the needs of students.
BACKGROUND
When making changes to the basic education curriculum, it's important to first understand the
current situation and environment. This understanding helps the Department of Education see
what is happening now and what might happen in the future. With this knowledge, they can take
the right steps to achieve their goals. This approach ensures that the MATATAG Curriculum
stays relevant and can adapt to the ongoing changes in society.
BACKGROUND (MATATAG)
-these components are aimed at creating a more effective, inclusive, and supportive education system
that prepares students for the future and supports teachers in their essential roles.
-The MATATAG agenda in improving access, equity, resiliency, and well-being can be attained through
the support of the various education stakeholders. This is why education partners penned their
commitments and support for the new basic education agenda.
The Demands of the Future in an Ever-Changing World
1ST - In the 21st century, people need to keep adapting to fast changes in technology and information.
Students must develop strong skills to figure out what information is important and trustworthy. They
also need to keep their digital skills updated and manage issues like online privacy and balancing
screen time with other activities.
2ND - The job market is changing and now needs skills like creativity, critical thinking, and teamwork.
As students connect more globally, they learn about different cultures but also face global issues,
which can cause stress. Because of these changes, it's important for students to keep learning, stay
resilient, and have strong mental strength, making it essential for schools to provide supportive and
adaptable learning environments.
3RD- An improved curriculum is crucial because it helps students learn important skills needed for the
future, like critical thinking and digital literacy. It also teaches students about global issues and
diversity, preparing them to handle and lead through change. Overall, this kind of curriculum ensures
that students are ready to adapt to and shape the future.
On the Quality of Student Learning: Indicators and Results
-System assessments are given at the end of each key stage. Learners at the end of Grade 3 take the
Early Language, Literacy, and Numeracy Assessment (ELLNA), which measures early language literacy
and numeracy. Exit assessments in the form of National Assessment Test (NAT) are given at the end of
Grades 6, 10, and 12. Both the ELLNA and NAT are designed to determine if the learners meet the
learning standards at the end of each key stage and to provide empirical data in the crafting and
designing of policies and programs. Results of the ELLNA given in S.Y. 2016- 2017 showed many issues
and concerns that the Department needs to address in English, Filipino, Mother Tongue, and Math. The
results imply the need for more improvements in curriculum and delivery. In particular, strategic
interventions should come into play since literacy is an accurate predictor of academic success.
Furthermore, the NAT results for English and Math in the last four academic years given to Grades 6 and
9 students affirm the need to have a collective and deliberate effort to address systemic issues that
affect the learners’ mastery of competencies.
-Clear baseline data and assessments are needed to track how well educational reforms are working.
These assessments show which areas of learning need improvement and help make sure students are
meeting the necessary standards. Recent results indicate that there are problems in key subjects and
skills, so updating the curriculum and teaching methods is important to improve overall student
performance.
Curriculum Review as Basis for the K to 10 Curriculum Recalibration
The study finds that many teachers struggle to cover all the required learning material because they
don't have enough time. Fewer than 20% of teachers feel they have enough time each quarter, and
nearly half can't even teach half of what they need to. Additionally, there's a gap between what
students are expected to know and what they actually know, with 25% of teachers feeling their
students aren't prepared for the material.
The study suggests that to fix this, the curriculum should be simplified and reorganized. This means
reducing the amount of material to be taught and making the curriculum clearer and more
manageable. It also points out a problem with how test specifications are aligned, which leads to
mixed messages for educators and others involved.
THE MATATAG CURRICULUM GOALS
The vision of the Department of Education (DepEd) for the K to 12 Program is realized through its
curriculum, which is designed to meet specific standards. These standards outline what students need
to learn and achieve.
There are two main types of standards:
1. **Content Standards:** These specify the key knowledge and understanding that students need to
learn.
2. **Performance Standards:** These describe the skills and abilities that students should show to
demonstrate their understanding of the content.
Together, these standards ensure that students not only learn important concepts and skills but also
develop a love for lifelong learning. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for various paths
after graduation, including further education, vocational training, employment, or starting their own
businesses.
I’LL SHOW YOU The table below reiterates the existing learning areas and introduces their new
curriculum goals:
The goals of the curriculum will be explained in detail through specific documents called learning area
shaping papers and curriculum guides. These documents will outline what students need to know and
be able to do. They will include clear descriptions of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes students are
expected to develop.
SUMMARY DISCUSSION (CONNECTIONS THAT RELATE EACH OTHER)
### **I. Rationale**
The rationale sets the foundation for the K to 12 Basic Education Program by defining its mission and
goals. It highlights the need for educational reform to meet both local and global demands and
prepare students for the 21st century. The program's purpose is to address the gaps revealed by
various assessments and improve the quality of education. This sets the stage for the MATATAG
agenda, which is designed to address these specific challenges and enhance the curriculum.
### **II. Background**
The background provides context for the MATATAG agenda by explaining the current state of the
education system and the need for change. It underscores the challenges posed by rapid technological
advancements and shifting job market demands, which necessitate a curriculum that fosters 21st-
century skills. The MATATAG agenda, outlined in this section, responds to these challenges by
focusing on relevant curriculum development, improving education facilities, supporting teachers, and
promoting learner well-being. This section essentially explains why the MATATAG agenda is needed,
based on the challenges identified in the rationale.
### **III. The MATATAG Curriculum Goals**
The goals of the MATATAG curriculum are the practical steps towards addressing the issues
highlighted in the rationale and background. By setting standards-based learning outcomes, the
MATATAG curriculum aims to ensure that students master essential skills and knowledge. This aligns
with the rationale's focus on improving educational quality and addressing gaps. The curriculum goals
are designed to implement the vision of the K to 12 Program by ensuring that learners are well-
prepared for various future paths, thus directly addressing the challenges and objectives outlined in
the background and rationale.
The K to 12 Basic Education Program is founded on the need for educational reform to meet both local
and global demands and prepare students for the 21st century, addressing gaps revealed by various
assessments to improve educational quality. The MATATAG agenda emerges from this context,
responding to the challenges posed by rapid technological advancements and shifting job market
demands by focusing on relevant curriculum development, improving education facilities, supporting
teachers, and promoting learner well-being. The MATATAG curriculum goals are practical steps
toward addressing these issues, setting standards-based learning outcomes to ensure students master
essential skills and knowledge. This approach aligns with the program's vision, aiming to prepare
learners for diverse future paths and directly addressing the challenges and objectives identified in
the rationale and background.
In summary:
- **The Rationale** identifies the need for educational reform and the goals of the K to 12 Program.
- **The Background** contextualizes this need, explaining the current challenges and setting the
stage for the MATATAG agenda.
- **The MATATAG Curriculum Goals** are the actionable outcomes designed to address these
challenges and meet the objectives set forth in the rationale and background.