Learning Recovery Program in the Philippines: Addressing Learning Loss and Advancing Sustainable Development through the RAISE Initiative in DepEd Region V

• In Event: Breaking norms, accelerating learning recovery, and building a case for equity in the Philippines

Proposal

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on learning outcomes, particularly among marginalized students in the Philippines. This presentation highlights the RAISE (Recovering for Academic Achievement by Improving Instruction through Sustainable Evidence-based Learning Programs) Initiative, implemented by DepEd Regional Office V in the Bicol Region, in collaboration with the USAID/RTI project Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines (ABC+). The RAISE Initiative is a targeted learning recovery program specifically designed to address the challenges faced by early grade learners who were marginalized and left behind simply because the instructional modalities used during the pandemic were not appropriate for learners who were not yet able to read and study on their own.
The Regional Office of the Department of Education in the Bicol Region resisted the norm of following the existing curriculum which, although adapted to the pandemic conditions and was made simpler and with less competency coverage, does not address the fact that early grade learners are returning to school without the benefit of foundational learning. Out of the 17 regions in the country, the regional director and the Schools Division Superintendents collectively decided to implement a learning program just focused on literacy, numeracy, and psychosocial skills at the start of the school year.
The RAISE Initiative incorporates the RAPID Framework, an evidence-based approach to learning recovery. The framework emphasizes evidence-based pedagogical practices, instructional design, and targeted interventions to address the diverse learning needs of marginalized students. By implementing sustainable evidence-based learning programs, the RAISE Initiative aims to improve instructional quality, enhance student engagement, and foster academic achievement among marginalized learners in DepEd Region V.
Through this presentation, we will present the experiences, outcomes, and lessons learned from the RAISE Initiative. Furthermore, this proposal will emphasize the collaborative efforts between DepEd Region V and the USAID/RTI project ABC+ in implementing the RAISE Initiative. The partnership has facilitated resource mobilization, knowledge exchange, and technical support to effectively address the challenges of learning recovery and promote sustainable development in the education sector.

Authors

• Gilbert Sadsad, Philippines Department of Education Region V

• Monica Ang-Tan, USAID

• Joan Latagan Lagata, Philippines Department of Education Region V