ChildFund Philippines, in collaboration with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO INNOTECH), recently introduced the country’s first localized social and emotional learning (SEL) framework.
The 2024-2027 SEL program is designed to resonate with the unique cultural nuances of Filipino students in public schools. It aims to:
- Develop adaptable SEL curriculum models that can be tailored to different cultural contexts,
- Foster a sense of ownership and sustainability within communities by involving them in the adaptation and implementation processes,
- Provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating localized SEL into educational policies at local, regional, and national levels, and;
- Share findings through academic publications, conferences, and workshops to contribute to the global discourse on effective SEL localization.
“When we started building the SEL framework, we envisioned a localized approach engaging all stakeholders in the country – teachers, parents, and students. This collaborative effort ensures the framework addresses the holistic development of both learners and educators, making it culturally relevant and impactful,” said Anand Vishwakarma, Country Director of ChildFund Philippines.
Marlene Floresca, Education Specialist of ChildFund Philippines, emphasized that the SEL framework helps students develop “pagpapakatao” (being humane) and “pakikipagkapwa-tao” (fellowship), to become capable and self-trusting individuals.
The competency framework also equips teachers with tools to better support students, contributing to a more inclusive and supportive educational environment. “The success of the SEL framework depends on the active involvement of teachers, along with parents and communities. Their participation ensures that the framework addresses the specific social and emotional needs of both learners and educators,” said Dr. Leonor Magtolis Briones, Center Director of SEAMEO INNOTECH.
Developing SEL skills early, starting in kindergarten and potentially even earlier, supports long-term success. According to Dr. Grace Aguiling-Dalisay, President and CEO of Center for Educational Measurement, assessing SEL skills alongside cognitive skills is imperative. “We are working with the education department to integrate these assessments into the SEL framework, ensuring evidence-based progress.”
Implementing the Framework
Implementation will begin this year with a pilot in select public schools to test the framework’s effectiveness. Following this, it will be integrated into school-wide practices and policies for students, educators, and non-teaching staff.
The technical working group, who has been involved in the development of the framework including the Department of Education (DepEd), will endorse SEL modules accessible via an e-learning platform. Teachers and school heads will complete these courses and earn professional development points through the National Educators Academy of the Philippines and the Professional Regulation Commission.
The framework supports the DepEd’s MATATAG Agenda: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa, which aims to take care of learners by promoting their well-being and give support to teachers to perform better. It shall be implemented across the K-12 curriculum and expanded to mental health programs in schools nationwide.
“This SEL framework responds to the call for an education system that imparts knowledge and cultivates the social and emotional foundation children need to build their dreams, equipping them beyond what books can teach,” said Dr. Dexter Galban, Assistant Secretary for Operations of the DepEd.
The organization and its partners interviewed K-12 and Alternative Learning System students across Metro Manila, Apayao, Negros Occidental, North Cotabato, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi to develop the framework.
For more information about the SEL competency framework, visit https://childfund.org.ph/.
