DepEd and KCFI strengthen partnership with new MOA
Education Chief acknowledges new projects and programs of Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KCFI) in support of Sulong EduKalidad
Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) and the Department of Education (DepEd) has formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the implementation of new projects that aim to further improve the quality of education in the country. DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones and KCFI President and Executive Director Rina Lopez Bautista signed the MOA after a joint meeting between the two parties in a ceremony held at the SEAMEO Innotech in Quezon City last February 18.
Other key officials who witnessed the momentous event were DepEd Chief-of-Staff Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan, Usec. Tonisito Umali, Esq., KCFI Director for Operations Edric Calma, and KCFI Head of Access, School and Community Engagement Doris Nuval. Former DepEd Secretary and current KCFI education consultant Dr. Fe Hidalgo was also present in the signing.
The MOA is a consolidation of KCFI’s various projects to be implemented with DepEd. Some of these include: Basa Bilang – a program that will help develop the foundational skills of children from Grades 1 to 3 in reading and math, PRIME (Program for Innovative and Inclusive Master Educators) – a 10-month special certificate course for public school teachers in primary grades in partnership with top universities in the country, 20/20 Gift of Knowledge – an online fundraising project that will give 20 additional schools to access to Knowledge Channel materials, and EduKalidad sa Kalamidad – an emergency education program that helps ensure the continuation of learning during disasters through media and technology.
A Partnership Renewed. Department of Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones (middle) signs a new Memorandum of Agreement with Knowledge Channel Foundation President Rina Lopez Bautista (right). Photo courtesy of the Department of Education
KCFI President Rina Lopez Bautista affirmed the Foundation’s support for DepEd by saying, “We are eager, excited, and hopeful to reach more, teach more, and help DepEd improve learning outcomes among our children, especially in reading comprehension, mathematics, and important soft skills like social and emotional learning.”
For the part of the Education Chief, Briones acknowledged that KCFI is “doing very, very important work” especially since the Department has recently shifted its priority from making basic education more accessible to improving the delivery of learning. “We in the education sector need all the help we can get and we always welcome advice from our stakeholders. It is always good to have this continuous exchange of knowledge and assistance.”
“We are eager, excited, and hopeful to reach more, teach more, and help DepEd improve learning outcomes among our children, especially in reading comprehension, mathematics, and important soft skills like social and emotional learning.”
Briones also added how technology has opened different pathways for acquiring knowledge. “Our learners are learning just as fast as we (teachers) are, and they are not relying [solely] on formal sources. Between a 21-year-old and a 79-year-old, there are no gaps so far as learning is concerned, and that we have to accept. We don’t have a monopoly of wisdom these days.”
Since 1999, Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. has been working closely with Department of Education by producing curriculum-based shows and providing educational multimedia content to public schools through cable operating partners, ABS-CBN TV Plus, SKY Cable and SKY Direct. KCFI has also been actively training teachers to help them prepare for 21st Century learning and maximize the use of Knowledge Channel materials in their classes.