THE PHILIPPINE Business for Education has relaunched a program it introduced in 2021 to teach children basic reading and mathematics.

In 2021, PBEd partnered with Accenture Philippines to launch Kiddie Learning Train, an offline gamified app developed by the digital California-based early-learning solutions provider, Enuma.

The program aims to enlist volunteer tutors with education backgrounds to ensure continued learning remotely. Its pilot launch in Cebu resulted in 69 percent and 18 percent increase in reading and math scores of students falling behind their class.

To empower local governments and spread the gains of KLT, the program was relaunched in Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental on Tuesday, February 28 to strengthen reading and math skills of Kinder 1 and 2 learners.

“We should provide our young learners the right support and tools in the early stages of life to equip them with skills and knowledge vital for their cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical development,” PBEd Executive Director Justine Raagas said.

To kickstart the project, 52 young learners were assessed for their baseline skills. Their parents were also oriented on the program’s plans and goals to address their children’s learning difficulties in reading and math.

“PBEd is here, supported by the whole force of the city of Himamaylan who will carry out KLT using the technology through the tablets with gamified apps. This will help in strengthening the techniques and new innovation in education,” Himamaylan Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao said during the launch.

PBEd seeks to sustain the KLT program for it to be adopted by other local government units.

“Let us continue to work together and make a lasting impact in a child’s life by ensuring that they are given quality care and education at home and in school–because investing in a child’s future is an investment in our future,” KLT Program Manager Ruth Recto said.