25 years of KCFI: Empowering education and impactful initiatives
By Angela Ballerda
In its 25th year this 2024, the Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) strived to make quality education accessible to children. It donated and turned over Knowledge Channel TV Packages (KC TV), Knowledge Channel Portable Media Library (KCPML), and school supplies to 121 schools nationwide. KCFI organized training for educators and produced numerous educational lessons to make learning fun and engaging. Through its partnerships, it ignited hope and honed more of children’s basic skills in financial literacy and hygiene. Below is the list of initiatives and achievements that made KCFI 2024 impactful and transformative.
ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION AND TRAININGS
Gift of hope and learning
With its commitment to providing quality education to all, KCFI continued its “Be the Gift of Hope” project, which allowed them to turn over KCPML to 20 schools nationwide with the help of Rotary Club Makati West.
Several schools in the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Manila, Palawan, and Taguig received the KCPML hard drive containing curriculum-based video lessons, e-games, and offline learning guides.
Along with this, KCFI also trained the schools to effectively use the hard drive as a learning resource.
Aside from the schools, KCFI also extended its generosity to White Cross Orphanage by donating Knowledge TV and KCPML in honor of Ma. Consuelo Mercedes Rufino Lopez, the KCFI President RIna Lopez’ mother.
Giving Knowledge Channel TV Package at ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Balik Eskwela Project
KCFI gifted Katutubong Agta students a Knowledge Channel TV Package and learning resources last August 8, when it joined the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Balik Eskwela Project at Lopez School of Aeta Community.
It also gave school supplies to students of Villa Espina Elementary School in Lopez, Quezon.
Promoting Filipino values
In celebration of Filipino Values Month, KCFI partnered with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) again to organize the 2024 Bálay Pinoy School Caravan last November 14 and November 15 at Pedro Guevara Elementary School in Binondo and Jose Rizal Elementary School in Pasay, respectively.
The caravan aimed to promote the 20 Filipino Values, such as love for the family and community, faith, good governance, and honesty and integrity, among others.
KCFI also turned over KCPML packages to the two schools which contain over 1500 video lessons, learning resources, and session guides aligned with the DepEd curriculum.
Training educators in teaching Reading and Mathematics and providing care
To help teachers and care providers gain powerful strategies and innovative approaches to empower their students, KCFI held its first online Teachers’ Conference on Teaching Reading and Mathematics in partnership with DepEd Philippines.
The conference happened last July 15 and 1 and it focused on sharing strategies, interventions, and techniques that teachers can use when teaching reading and mathematics, through utilizing Wikaharian, Ready, Set, Read!, and MathDali for their lessons.
Another conference was held last September 27 and October 4 titled Child Development Workers and Teachers’ (CDW/T) Conference on Early Childhood Development. It centered on “Early Care Matters” where 3000 CDW/Ts attended as well as teachers, parents, and care providers.
THRIVING PARTNERSHIPS
Collaborating through Partnerships for Education
KCFI continued to forge partnerships with companies and other foundations to improve education nationwide.
To make the study of Mathematics more engaging, KCFI partnered with BDO Foundation and Huawei Philippines to launch ten new episodes of “MathDali Grade 1” which will make learning math fun and easy to understand for young learners.
With this partnership, they launched ten new episodes of “MathDali” last December 11 at Oranbo Elementary School in Pasig City.
These episodes seek to boost the basic numeracy skills of Grade 1 students through interactive lessons that make learning math fun, engaging, and accessible.
MathDali Grade 1 airs every Monday and Sunday at 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM on Knowledge Channel.
Empowering through books
In celebration of Women’s Month last March 2024, KCFI, in collaboration with USAID - US Agency for International Development ABC+ Learning Connects, Knowledge Channel Foundation, donated books and conducted a storytelling event at Padre Mariano Gomez Elementary School in Manila.
They handed over 687 reading materials about women and girl empowerment for the benefit of Kinder to Grade 3 learners. Alongside this, KCFI partnered with USAID Philippines and RTI International to make learning more accessible through broadcasting ABC+ Early Grade Reading Materials.
As a broadcast partner, KCFI aims to enrich the learning experience of students with the help of the video lessons they aired.
Widening access through renewing partnerships
To enhance educational access, KCFI renewed its partnership with the Department of Education through a ceremonial signing of a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). KCFI and DepEd are both committed to closing learning gaps and making quality education more accessible.
The new MOA allowed the organizations to continue collaborating in making curriculum-based video lessons and other educational materials to enhance Early Childhood Development (ECD) learning and Basic Education.
Furthermore, the partnership includes KCFI in support of DepEd, to conduct capacity-building programs to improve Reading and Math instruction skills of public-school educators.
More partnerships with local government
The Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB) and KCFI signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) last November 4, to broadcast SINEliksik Bulacan DocuFilms on the Knowledge Channel.
This partnership wishes to provide young viewers an opportunity to watch documentaries made by PGB for them to know its rich history and heritage.
Inspiring young women viewers
In its efforts to inspire an audience that are young women, it signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma Foundation, Inc. (Official) to produce an episode of Kasaysayan TV on the life of Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma, who is the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
This program wishes to share her legacy in democracy, human rights, and social justice.
RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
Awarded for commitment to nation-building and education
KCFI received the 4th Metrobank Foundation Award for Partner in Empowerment, Advocacy, and Commitment to Excellence (PEACE), an award given every five years to Metrobank partners who are exceptional in their nation-building and collaboration commitment.
Gawad Lasallianeta also awarded KCFI the Green ZEAL Award for Excellence in Education Innovation.
Development-Oriented Program Awards
UP ComBroadSoc Gandingan Awards recognized five (5) Knowledge Channel shows as finalists in different categories.
“Musikantahan” got the Most Development-Oriented Musical Segment/Program at the 18th Gandingan Awards of UP Los Baños, “WOW” is part of the Most Development-Oriented Environmental Program finalists, “AgriKids” as part of the Most Development-Oriented Children’s Program finalists, “Agricoolture” is one of the Most Development-Oriented Documentary Program finalists, and “Puno ng Buhay” is a finalist for the Most Development-Oriented Magazine Program.
EcoProject: Kilos Kabataan Para sa Kapaligiran Year 3 recognized as Outstanding CSR Project in Environment
KCFI took part in the League of Corporate Foundations - LCF Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Conference and Guild Awards last July 6-7.
In the expo, KCFI showcased its KCPML and its EcoProject: Kilos Kabataan Para sa Kapaligiran with Unilever - Breeze Philippines received an award as Outstanding CSR Project in Environment
The LCF CSR conference and expo emphasized the future of CSR through navigating Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, accessibility, connectivity, and inclusivity in the employment space.
Anak TV Sinebata Award and Anak TV Seals
The "Kwentoons: Si Bino, Si Buboy, Si Bantay, Magkaibigang Tunay," a story of friendship that aims to share the right way to take care of animals, is hailed as one of Anak TV Sinebata’s winners under the Professional Category for Fiction (for ages 7 and under) last August 7.
Sinebata seeks to be a vital platform for professional and amateur filmmakers to showcase their talents in television literacy and advocate for child-sensitive and family programs.
In addition, three months after, KCFI received 10 Anak TV Seals during the Anak TV Seal Awards 2024 held last December 6.
Several shows are also awarded in online categories which are Wikaharian Online World, Knowledge On The Go, Knowledge Channel's Art Smart, and MathDali Online World.
In the television category, the recognized shows are Wow: Bukidnon, Lakbay Aral, Tropang K!Likasan, Agrikids, MathDali, and Siklo ng Enerhiya.
National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT) awarded KCFI three awards
KCFI attended the 27th anniversary of the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT) last October 18.
Honored for its contribution and commitment to education
In the event, NCCT recognized Knowledge Channel for its Outstanding Commitment to Child-Friendly Content Standards award. It also honored “MathDali” and “Puno Ng Buhay” for their Exemplary Adherence to Child-Friendly Content Standards.
Last December 12, KCFI was awarded a plaque of recognition during the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Council 2024 Partners' Recognition Program. The council recognized KCFI for its outstanding performance and invaluable contribution to the promotion and quality of early childhood care and development programs and services.
KCFI also received a plaque of appreciation from the DepEd Partners Appreciation and Recognition program last December 16. This award recognizes their dedication to fostering and sustaining quality education across the country.
Finally, before the year ends, KCFI received an Outstanding Stakeholder Award and Most Outstanding Stakeholder Award during the 5th Gawad Kaagapay of DepEd SDO Quezon City last December 20 for its education initiatives.
More awards:
INSTILLING ESSENTIAL LIFE KNOWLEDGE
Fostering sustainable practices with “Tropang K!likasan”
KCFI joined forces with CEMEX Philippines Foundation launched “Tropang K!likasan” at San Antonio Village Elementary School in Antipolo City.
This initiative aims to produce educational and entertainment programs that will promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices among youth. It also seeks to instill in Grade 5 students the importance of environmental conservation and responsible resource consumption.
Teaching financial literacy
KCFI, in collaboration with BPI Foundation, Inc. launched new episodes of "Estudyantipid,” to equip students with essential knowledge in decision-making and being financially literate. The show seeks to guide young learners toward financial stability.
Estudyantipid is available on Knowledge Channel via cable, satellite, and digital free TV - A2Z Channel 11 every Monday at 3:20 PM, with replays on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
Advocating for cleanliness and hygiene in school and at home
KCFI launched a new educational video lesson titled “Eskwelang Unstoppable - Malinis na Kapaligiran, Maayos na Kalusugan" last November 19 to celebrate World Toilet Day, in partnership with Domex Philippines.
World Toilet Day is an initiative of the United Nations that is celebrated annually to highlight the global sanitation crisis and the importance of access to safe and hygienic toilets.
This show aims to teach young viewers about proper hygiene habits and sanitation in the toilet.
Reintroducing traditional Filipino games
In partnership with Unilever-Breeze Philippines, KCFI conducted its first EcoPlay Palarong Pinoy at Marikina Sports Center with DepEd Tayo Marikina City last December 10.
The event aims to encourage play, sportsmanship, and resilience among young learners where around 730 children from 17 Marikina public schools attended and played traditional Filipino games.
Through the form of play, they aimed to support children’s holistic development by improving their physical fitness, developing strategic thinking, promoting socialization, and strengthening cultural identity.
KCFI also created video lessons EcoPlay journals for children to learn traditional Filipino games and reflect on the project.