DepEd, PLDT, Smart Ready to Reinvent Learning Across PH

The Department of Education is ramping up preparations for the nationwide rollout of the Central Visayan Institute Foundation Dynamic Learning Program (CVIF-DLP), an innovative teaching strategy that promotes independent learning. With support from PLDT and Smart, DepEd is finalizing learning materials and upskilling educators through new training modules designed to enhance classroom delivery across the country.

“The DepEd is expanding CVIF-DLP adoption in schools with high student density to facilitate delivery of lessons more effectively. We are also rolling out the program in areas that are prone to natural calamities to ensure that learning continues even during disruptive events,” said DepEd Sec. Sonny Angara.
 
In the past two months, the DepEd’s training and development arm – National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) – together with the agency’s Bureau of Learning Delivery have been refining training methods and expanding the CVIF-DLP Learning Activity Sheets repository for the pilot implementation of the innovative teaching strategy in more than 450 schools across the Philippines.
 
“As long-time partners, PLDT and Smart support the DepEd’s efforts in exploring innovative teaching strategies to ensure that there will be no learner left behind,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Engagement Team at PLDT and Smart. “The CVIF-DLP has helped mitigate learning loss in times of crisis, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
 
An important component of the program is the Learning Activity Sheet. The single-page tool breaks down complex concepts into manageable chunks that students can easily follow even with minimal teacher intervention. And by allocating more time for students to accomplish their activity sheets, teachers have the flexibility to run parallel classes.

“CVIF-DLP encourages students to learn at their own pace. Utilizing the expert teacher-facilitator dynamics, it also helps teachers to move between sections to discuss topics that students may be struggling with,” said Dr. Chris Bernido, a Ramon Magsaysay awardee, who developed the methodology with his wife and fellow Magsaysay awardee, the late Dr. Maria Victoria Bernido.
 
Before the upcoming nationwide implementation, more than 1,000 schools, both public and private, have embraced the CVIF-DLP. The Schools Division of Sarangani in southern Mindanao has adopted the innovative teaching strategy to address classroom and teaching personnel challenges, especially in far-flung communities across the province. The division has also developed its own set of CVIF-DLP Learning Activity Sheets that cover Grades 1 to 12.
 
PLDT and Smart’s education programs including the CVIF-DLP are aligned with the DepEd’s MATATAG curriculum. Under the helm of Sec. Sonny Angara, the DepEd has identified key areas to prioritize – boost learners’ foundational skills in reading, math and science to improve Filipino students’ performance in international large-scale assessments, professional development of teachers, employ digital innovations to augment existing teaching strategies, ensure senior high school graduates are ready for employment, and improve educational infrastructures and resources.
 
The CVIF-DLP highlights PLDT and Smart’s commitment to inclusive quality education through Information and Communications Technology, content, pedagogy and capacity building. The initiative also underscores the PLDT Group’s efforts to help the country achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education.