|
INCOMING Grade 1 pupils will now have to pass an
examination aimed at determining their readiness for school among
other things, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus revealed Thursday.
The exam, which will focus on the
children’s mental capacity and physical condition, is under the
Department of Education (DepEd) Preschool Education Program for
five-year-old children. The physical condition test will evaluate
the child’s motor skills, hearing, weight and height, among
others.
“The test results will feature
the child’s learning competency and physical well-being, thus
serving a guide for their future teachers and school officials,”
Lapus said.
The program was implemented after
a study conducted by DepEd showed that the main reasons for the
rising school dropout rate are children’s supposed lack of
readiness for school activities and their poor health.
The Department of Social Welfare
and Development will coordinate with DepEd to fulfill the new
mandate.
The government earlier issued
Executive Order 685, directing the Education department to oversee
operation and administration of a mandatory preschool program for
public school, including preschool children enrolled in day care
centers.
Under the said order, DepEd will
provide existing day care center workers with teachers armed with
proper training and competency needed for preschool education
together with necessary instructional materials.
Lapus disclosed that DepEd has
earmarked a total of P102 million for this six-month day care
support program. Of the said amount, P93 million was allotted for
the distribution of learning materials.
--James Konstantin Galvez
|
