PRIORITIES IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION Minda C. Sutaria

The Priorities for the Next Three Years INCREASING PARTICIPATION and SURVIVAL RATES. jibe with UNESCO’s program for universalization of primary education and support its goal of eradicating illiteracy in the world by the year 2000 “COME TO SCHOOL CAMPAIGN” Increase participation rate BASELINE TARGET INCREASE Below 75 % 10 % 76-85 % 5 % 86-95 % 3 % 95 % maintain or raise to the maximum

The Priorities for the Next Three Years INCREASING PARTICIPATION and SURVIVAL RATES. Schools shall adopt measures to insure that pupils do not drop out National mean for cohort survival rate is 74 % and the rate increases by one percent annually The “disadvantaged groups” shall be provided access to education by Adopting non-traditional methods Expanding Special Education Program Harness parent and community cooperation Establish an effective monitoring and supervisory system Train teachers for more “humanistic instruction”

The Priorities for the Next Three Years 2. RAISING ACHIEVEMENT LEVELS Increase achievement levels by 2 % annually There shall be systematic monitoring and evaluation NESC provides for mastery of basic skills (Grade I & II) Schools shall be encourage to establish pre- school classes

The Priorities for the Next Three Years 3. VALUES DEVELOPMENT NESC is value-oriented curriculum Its thrust is the development of Filipinism Filipinism shall provide direction of learning activities in the period for character building activities A system of reward and sanctions may prove useful in making permanent specific values developed.

The Priorities for the Next Three Years 4. STAFF DEVELOPMENT NESC and the objectives of PRODED require new personnel profile with a deep sense of accountability and a commitment to the teaching profession and imbued with humanism and Filipinism.

The Priorities for the Next Three Years 5. UPGRADING PHYSICAL FACILITIES There shall be marked improvement in the physical facilities of the schools as a result of the implementation of the civil works and physical components of PRODED. MECS Memo. 315, s. 1983 provides list of minimum and maximum requirements for classroom furniture and equipment

The Priorities for the Next Three Years 6. DEVELOPMENT OF SUPPLEMENTARY LEARNING MATERIALS The Bureau of Elementary Education is preparing prototype multi-level learning materials in the basic skills Priority shall be accorded to local curriculum writing workshops to meet the need for such materials

The Priorities for the Next Three Years 7. EXPANDING AND IMPROVING THE SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM The education of the handicapped and disadvantaged is one important requirement for democratizing educational opportunities, and so the education of the gifted, who if not properly educated may in the future become disadvantaged.

The Priorities for the Next Three Years 8. IMPROVING MANAGEMENT OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS School management and the continuing development of the principal shall, thus, receive more than the usual attention accorded them

The Priorities for the Next Three Years “ If we wish to be systematic in the management of elementary education, if we are committed to achieving its objectives so that it can fulfill its goal of maximizing its contribution to nation-building; let us make these priorities our loadstars to action during the coming years.” – MINDA C. SUTARIA