As the government shifts to distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Knowledge Channel is ready to share its video lessons that could reach as many as 7.6 million students.
“Knowledge Channel is prepared to work with the government. We have created and acquired more than a thousand video lessons, all based on the K-12 curriculum of the Department of Education (DepEd) and these are ready for use,” Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) director for operations Edric Calma said.
For 21 years, KCFI has developed and acquired multimedia educational materials that public schools nationwide, especially those in remote regions, used to enhance teaching and learning. They are aired over Knowledge Channel and used for instruction by KCFI-trained teachers; they are also designed for home-based learning.
According to Calma, KCFI has developed into video format 50% of the most essential learning competencies, or MELC, that DepEd requires to be taught for the school year and can easily develop the remaining 50%.
Knowledge Channel’s method of using TV technology has proven to improve the performance of children in school. Studies conducted by the De La Salle University Lasallian Institute for Development and Educational Research and the University of the Philippines Statistical Center Research Foundation’s “Impact Study for the Proficient Measures for Quality Education” revealed that children who were taught using Knowledge Channel video lessons performed better in tests.
“Subjects like mathematics and the sciences involve understanding of processes and they need to be visually illustrated for kids to understand,” Calma said, adding, “with this kind of curriculum, we need TV.”
The National Council for Children’s Television’s Alice Pañares said the government is faced with the near-impossible task of training a 900,000-strong teaching workforce to teach students using media before the August opening of classes.
She suggested that Knowledge Channel be tapped at the very onset of the distance learning program.
“While the teachers are being trained, why not tap first the lessons of Knowledge Channel since it already has existing materials,” Pañares said, noting that “Knowledge Channel has done a very complete work in educating the students in different areas.”
KCFI president and executive director Rina Lopez Bautista appealed that KCFI be given the chance to share with the government its expertise for the sake of the children.
Lopez Bautista said: “We believe that learning must continue for all and that no child should be left behind. We appeal to our lawmakers and the Filipino people to recognize ABS-CBN’s contributions to education and that ABS-CBN is granted a new franchise so that we can again reach the children no matter where they are in the Philippines. The Knowledge Channel Foundation continues, and will be working to continue to be in the service of Filipino children.”
