December 10, 2020 – The Department of Education (DepEd) virtually signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the International Care Ministries (ICM) last December 4 to assist parents of learners, especially in Kindergarten, on a better understanding of the modules provided by their schools.

“Ang papel na ginagampanan ng ating mga magulang ay talaga pong hindi natin basta-basta maisasantabi dahil po distance learning na lang ang aming pinapatupad,” said Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, and Project Management Service Tonisito Umali.

“Lahat ng [pamamaraan ng] pag-aaral [ng ating mga anak] na nangyayari [na] nananatili [lamang sila sa] ating tahanan at walang pisikal na guro na puwede pong tumugon sa kanilang pangangailangan, [kinakailangan] ang ating mga magulang [ay] ating maaasahan,” he added.

ICM Education Strategy Director Anna Alegre highlighted the ICM’s Two-Generation approach where the adults are being taught primary lessons and skills in values, health, livelihood, and parenthood while advocating nutrition, health, and the education of children to benefit the two generations in having a better future.

“Nais namin i-maximize ang tulong para sa mga ultrapoor na magulang na maging successful na tagapagdaloy ng karunungan sa tahanan hindi lang po pati sa academics kundi pati na sa mga essential attitudes towards education,” ICM Dir. Alegre said.

Furthermore, ICM trained qualified volunteers to mentor parents in engaging with their children through fun educational activities. Children are also equipped with essential skills to be ready for formal education and parents are empowered with the skills to strengthen positive engagement with their children.

ICM also expressed their desire to offer their 10-week home-based parent coaching program for preschoolers and parents through the Family Academy (FA) in Regions IV-B MIMAROPA, 6, 7, 9, and 12.

Region 12 Director Allan Farnazo expressed his gratitude to the ICM in this initiative that will help both parents and learners in studying the self-learning modules provided.

“Today in this time of pandemic, parents who are able to provide, assist, and facilitate learning at home have a better advantage of making learning happen. Knowing the importance, ICM has stepped into providing opportunities in parents to learning and acquiring best knowledge on how to manage the young learners,” said RD Farnazo.

Through this partnership, the Department expressed its intention and openness to work side by side with ICM in providing help, inspiring hope and creating change for families living in extreme poverty in the different areas across the country.

 

END