The Department of Education (DepEd) is planning to dismiss the “remedial class” or “summer class” stigma, which is required for students who got low or failing grades during the past school year.

During a press briefing by the Presidental Communications Office on Tuesday, DepEd spokesperson Undersecretary Michael Poa said they are planning to do this through the National Learning Camp (NLC) that is set to be rolled out during the 2022-2023 End-of-School Year (EOSY) break.

“Dati kapag nag-summer class ka o nag-remedial class ka, ibig sabihin noon ay bumagsak ka or mababa iyong grades po (In the past, going to summer or remedial classes means you obtained failing or low grades). That is stigma that we want to get rid of. That is why, kasi nga ang priority natin ngayon (our priority now) is learning recovery after the pandemic,” Poa told reporters.

The NLC will be implemented under the DepEd’s National Learning Recovery Program, which is aimed at addressing learning loss and in support of the MATATAG Basic Education Agenda.

Under NLC, Poa said there are three different camps – Enhancement Camp, Consolidation Camp, and Intervention Camp.

“The past two weeks, nagkaroon ng mga pre-test sa ating mga (we conducted a pre-test in) schools and based on the pre-test conducted, doon natin nalalaman na kung iyong learner ay sasali sa National Learning Camp natin, kung saan dapat siya (we identified if the learner should attend the National Learning Camp, and what camp should the student belong to),” he explained.

Poa said students who have a degree of mastery but are interested to learn more, could join the Enhancement Camp.

Those who have competence in learning areas but not enough mastery could join the Consolidation Camp while those who need further assistance could go to Intervention Camp.

“For this year, since it is still in a pilot stage, although Learning Camp is open to all grade levels. Iyong tatlong camps na iyan (These three camps), plus the special materials in Science, Math. and English, are exclusively for Grade 7 and 8 only,” Poa said.

“So, obviously gusto natin sana lahat may ganoon. But, since pilot lang ito, magsimula lang po tayo this year, see kung ano iyong mga makuha nating learning and results ang Grades 7 and 8, tapos (we want everyone to have it. But because this is just a pilot, we will just start this year, see the learnings and results for Grades 7 and 8, then) we plan to expand that next year.”

The NLC will run for three to five weeks from July 24 to Aug. 25, with three days of teacher-learner engagement and two days dedicated to collaborative expertise through Learning Action Cell sessions among teachers.

It aims to create a “camp-like” atmosphere by integrating fun and engaging activities to foster learner interests, socio-emotional skills, personal growth, and character development among students.

DepEd also encourages schools to conduct other EOSY break activities, such as Reading and Mathematics Program for Grades 1 to 3 and enrichment activities in other grade levels alongside the phased implementation of the NLC to support learning recovery across grade levels. (PNA)