DEPARTMENT of Education officials have visited schools in the National Capital Region during the launching of Catch-Up Fridays.

Curriculum and Teaching Undersecretary Gina Gonong and Assistant Secretary Alma Ruby Torio went to San Joaquin Elementary School, Pinagbuhatan Elementary School, Bagong Ilog Elementary School, and Mataas na Paaralang Neptali A. Gonzales on Friday (12 Jan 2024).

“Sa pamamagitan ng DEAR Day, binibigyan ng oportunidad ang mga mag-aaral na makapagbasa ng kanilang napiling basahin,” DepEd said.

According to DepEd, Catch-up Friday is a “learning mechanism intended to strengthen the foundational, social, and other relevant skills necessary to actualize the intent of the basic education curriculum.”

All Fridays throughout the school year shall be designated as Catch-up Fridays, with a focus on operationalizing the National Reading Program during the first half of the day’s schedule and on fostering Values, Health, and Peace Education for the second half, DepEd said in a memorandum.

The time allotment for each learning area on a Friday shall be used to enhance learners’ knowledge and skills in and appreciation of reading, values, health, and peace education, it added.