VICE President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said that her department will review the implementation of the Mother Tongue-based Multilingual Education program alongside efforts to improve students’ English proficiency.

“We will review the implementation of the Mother Tongue-based Multilingual Education policy guided by the principle that, among others, learners learn when taught in a language they understand,” Duterte said in her speech at the Language and Inclusion Summit on Friday.

“We reaffirm our MATATAG commitments dedicated to language and inclusion to improve English proficiency while recognizing linguistic diversity. We will work towards the goal of English language proficiency within the context of a multilingual nation,” she added.

Duterte said that DepEd will continue establishing inclusive learning resource centers to provide assisted mechanisms such as audio technology like braille and large-print test materials for disabled students.

Digital textbooks will also be introduced for certain core subjects in Senior High School. The Department of Education will coordinate with its partners to facilitate the development of learning resources for learners with special needs, specifically the visually and hearing impaired.

Duterte appealed for the continuous support of partners and stakeholders in fostering a positive and non-threatening learning environment.

“We will continue to live in our faith that education is a great enabler rather than a great divider. Any noble undertaking, however, cannot succeed if performed singlehandedly. Therefore, I appeal to the collective efforts of stakeholders to have our sights set on an active call for inclusion,” she said.

During the summit, DepEd gathered the commitment of policymakers and stakeholders to support its implementation of language and inclusion programs.

Senator Loren Legarda discussed fostering multilingualism for inclusion in education and society, while Senator Sherwin Gatchalian rallied for support to alternative and inclusive learning.

The Language and Inclusion Summit aimed to present empirical data on the importance of language and inclusion and to showcase initiatives on the implementation of DepEd programs, such as the Mother Tongue-based Multilingual Education, Indigenous Peoples Education, Madrasah Education Program, Special Needs Education and Alternative Learning System.