The provincial board of Antique has taken a significant step towards enhancing early grade learning (EGL) by approving an ordinance to establish a multi-stakeholder education sector mechanism (ESM). This mechanism aims to serve as an advisory committee focused on improving basic life skills for children from kindergarten to Grade 3, aligning with the priorities of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Board Member Alfie Jay Niquia, who sponsored the ordinance, highlighted its importance during a recent interview.
Niquia explained that the ESM will provide crucial advice to the provincial school board (PSB) on issues related to early-grade learning. The primary goal is to ensure that young learners in Antique have access to quality education, helping them develop essential skills during their formative years.
Challenges
One of the key challenges identified is the difficulty many children in Antique face in learning their mother tongue, Kinaray-a. This issue arises from their significant exposure to the English language, mainly through television programs.
The ESM aims to address this challenge by fostering a supportive environment where children can improve their proficiency in Kinaray-a while also gaining a strong foundation in other essential subjects.
The ESM will be chaired by the Antique provincial administrator, with the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent serving as co-chair.
The committee will also include members from various sectors, such as the presidents of the Provincial Federation of Child Development Workers and the Provincial Federation of Parents and Teachers Association.
Additionally, two representatives from the private sector with a vested interest in education will be part of the committee.
Promising Development
Dr. Evelyn Remo, Chief of Schools Governance and Operations at the DepEd Schools Division of Antique, expressed strong support for the ESM.
Remo emphasized that the mechanism complements the DepEd's Advancing Basic Education (ABC+) project, which aims to promote early literacy development. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the ABC+ project has already facilitated the publication and distribution of reading books in Kinaray-a, providing valuable resources for schools.
The establishment of the ESM in Antique is a promising development.
It sets up a collaborative framework that brings together various stakeholders to plan and implement programs for young learners. By focusing on the needs of children from kindergarten to Grade 3, the ESM aims to create a robust educational foundation that will benefit students throughout their academic journeys.
This initiative highlights the commitment of Antique's provincial board to prioritizing education and addressing specific local challenges.
With continued support and collaboration, the ESM has the potential to significantly improve early-grade learning outcomes, ensuring that children in Antique receive the quality education they deserve.
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