DepEd Launches an Adjusted Matatag Curriculum

The Department of Education launched what it describes as a “less congested” and revised curriculum for K-10 education.

The Department of Education launched on Thursday, August 10, what they call a “less congested” curriculum for students for K-10 which will have a pilot testing in 2024.

Dubbed the “Matatag” curriculum, it reduces the number of subjects from the previous K-12 curriculum. From seven subjects, it is now at five subjects. Here’s what you need to know about the curriculum.

From seven to five subjects

In the previous curriculum, the K-10 subjects were at seven. These subjects are:

• Mother Tongue
• Filipino
• English
• Mathematics
• Araling Panlipunan (History)
• MAPEH (Music, Physical Education, and Health)
• Edukasyong Pagkatao (Humanities)

From seven, it will be five subjects. These subjects are:

• Language
• Reading and Literacy
• Mathematics
• Makabansa (Patriotism)
• Good Manners and Right Conduct

The curriculum underwent a two-year review

During the launch, Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte said that the adjusted curriculum underwent a review for two years with local stakeholders and experts before its pilot implementation.

“Both teachers and learners were overburdened with lessons and other school tasks and activities. The result was devastating for our learners. It compromised their mastery of fundamental skills such as reading and solving simple math problems,” she said.

Aside from the subjects mentioned, Duterte mentioned that they’ll integrate “peace competencies” into the subject.

“The new K to 10 curriculum will integrate peace competencies — highlighting the promotion of non-violent actions and the development of conflict-resolution skills in learners.”

“For after all, there is security, there is peace,” Duterte said.

No more Mother Tongue as a subject

 Gina Gonong, the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching, announced a change in the curriculum. The mother tongue, once a curriculum component, will no longer be taught as a subject. Instead, it will find its new role as a medium of instruction.

“Mother tongue as a subject is actually something that can be explained also or taken up in the languages and reading and literacy,” she explained.

She added that it has caused some confusion for some teachers, particularly in Luzon.

Initial pilot testings

The Matatag Curriculum will undergo its initial pilot testing during the school year 2023 to 2024. It has yet to announce which grades and schools will do the testing.

Moreover, the formal implementation will progress through phases until 2028.

DepEd is also currently reviewing the curriculum for Grades 11 and 12 and will announce changes in 2024.

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