DepEd, Knowledge Channel renew vows to deliver 21st century education

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KCFI) renewed its commitment to provide multimedia resources for over five million learners in 6,000 public schools and community learning centers in the country. 

The 10-year partnership allows public schools to have continued access to Knowledge Channel’s Educational Shows and multimedia learning resources, which complement and support the K to 12 curriculum through non-traditional and interactive modes of instruction. 

“Knowledge Channel is one consistent partner for the past 17 years in a country where there is actually no education channel,” Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said. 

“Given the radical transformation in the education sector, the K to 12, its curriculum and learning pedagogies are major drivers of that change in the Philippines. But globally our learners, teachers, and families are faced with 21st century skills and the technology bubble. Technology and other innovations are tearing down walls, redefining learning spaces and emphasizing the importance of self-directed, constructivist and collaborative learning. Our teachers and our learners need to be out there and at par with the rest of the world and this is what we hope to bring to our schools,”  KCFI President and Executive Director Elvira Lopez-Bautista said.

She said that this partnership is different compared to the previous agreement with DepEd, adding, “It includes the development of videos, games, and interactive lessons on multiple platforms; on air, online and offline.” This is to improve learning outcomes through multimedia learning resources, she said. 

Aside from this, the recently signed pact will also provide a venue for the career development of educators and teachers. Training programs such as Superintendents’ Leadership Program (SLP) and LEEP program are also covered in the agreement. 

(L-R) DepEd Undersecretary for External Partnerships and Linkages Mario A. Deriquito, Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC, Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KFCI) Chairman Oscar Lopez, and KFCI President and Executive Director Elvira Lopez-Bautista at the DepEd, KFCI signing of the memorandum of understanding that provides support for public school students and teachers in the country last March 31, 2016.

Lopez-Bautista said, “With this signing we hope to have an even closer relationship with DepEd in seeking policy guidance, directions, and cooperation. We ask that DepEd actively use and promote the software and hardware that are in the schools that are accessible to student and teachers as we believe this can improve learning outcomes.”

DepEd Undersecretary for Partnerships and External Linkages Mario A. Deriquito said, “We are happy to celebrate with you the many things that you have done for our public schools: a curriculum based TV channel, training for our teachers, support for the training of our schools division superintendents, the Learning Effectively through Enhance Pedagogies (LEEP) program, and giving awards to outstanding school-based programs and education leaders.”