THE Project Elimination of Academic Gaps of Learners in the Elementary (Eagle) is conceptualized as an intervention to increase learning outcomes of the learners in all learning areas.
Likewise, it is envisioned that the program will allow learners to meet high expectations, content and performance standards and able to achieve the diverse challenges of the 21st century skills.
Other intention also of the program is to achieve proximate current benchmarks and standards in the national assessments in all key stages such as Early Language Literacy and Numeracy Assessment, National Achievement Test for Grades 6, 10 and 12.
According to Dr. Janette G. Veloso, Chief of the Curriculum and Learning Management Division, the Project Eagle aims to increase learning outcomes of the learners, keep the learners in school, strengthen the relationship between the teacher and the learners, and strengthen team teaching and mentoring among teachers involve in the looping.
The project is intended to be piloted in two schools (1 small school, 1 big school) per Schools Division. The SDO will select the schools where the project will be piloted and facilitate the orientation of the school heads and teachers who will be involved in the looping cycle.
Why we call it looping? Looping is a practice in which a teacher stays with the same class for more than one year. It is a multiyear placement for both the learners and the teacher.
In Department of Education (DepEd)-Davao, the first looping cycle happens when a teacher handles and mentors with a group of kindergarten learners and continues with them through Grades 1, 2 and 3 levels.
As learners reach Grade 4, another team of teachers will continue the second loop to provide instructions to Grades 4,5 and 6 learners.
Benefits from Looping: Maximizes instructional time as teachers and learners start the lessons immediately where they left off at the beginning of a school year. Continues learning momentum as learners can complete their projects over summer and accordingly teachers can plan instruction for the succeeding school year. Promotes stronger bonds between parents and teachers, teachers and learners, and among learners. Increases parental involvement as parents are able to gain a better understanding of their child's educational development and needs. Provides remediation or enrichment activities as teachers and learners will be engaging in more sequential grades. Increases learners’ attendance as they are intellectually and emotionally motivated. Provides greater support for children who need stabilizing influences in their lives. Increases knowledge of teachers on child’s intellectual strengths and weaknesses. Provides opportunities for teachers to contextualize lessons based on needs of learners. Reduces anxiety about the new school year and increases opportunities for shy learners to develop self- confidence.
While there are a lot of advantages in the project, there are also some weaknesses like an inappropriate match, a personality conflict between learners or teacher and learner, the possibility of having to put up a poor teacher for multiple years, the possibility of teacher mobility, that the teacher will not be there through the looping cycle, less exposure to new learners and teaching styles, the difficulties faced by new learners who enter a class that has looped, the difficulty of adjusting to large school environments after being used to cloistered ones, and the difficulty of separating at the end of the cycle, something that can be difficult for both teachers and learners.
Regional Director Alberto Escobarte was ecstatic when he announced that all the pilot schools will be provided with one (1) unit laptop and an LCD projector and that the said project has already earned the support of no less than the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Dina Ocampo and Undersecretary for Planning and Regional Operations Jesus Lorenzo Mateo.
This corner wishes that like the real eagle, our national bird, this project will soar high and meet its lofty goals that will benefit our school children.
***
Director’s Cut: (This portion features the thoughts of lawyer Alberto Escobarte, Ceso IV, Regional Director, DepEd-Davap to all stakeholders and recipients of the efforts to improve the basic education)."Let me assure you that in the performance of my official duties and even my private acts will be guided and guarded by my Oath of Office, The Panunumpa ng Kawani ng Gobyerno, the Philippine Constitution and all the laws that govern our actions.”
***
You can access DepEd Updates, latest issuances, photos and other relevant information through our website: http://www.deped.gov.ph and our Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/deped.regionxi. For comments, suggestions and/or contributions, send your email to region11@deped.gov.ph. For queries, complains and other concerns for the different schools divisions email them to davao.city@deped.gov.ph, davao.delsur@deped.gov.ph, davao.delnorte@deped.gov.ph, tagum.city@deped.gov.ph, panabo.city@deped.gov.ph, igacos@deped.gov.ph, davao.oriental@deped.gov.ph, digos.city@deped.gov.ph, mati.city@deped.gov.ph and compostela.valley@deped.gov.ph.
