“The Department of Education (DepEd) remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering quality, relevant, inclusive, and responsive basic education. This commitment is further strengthened by the present administration’s Eight-Point Socioeconomic Agenda and the MATATAG Education Agenda to produce competent, job-ready, active, and responsible citizens, equipped with essential competencies and skills for lifelong learning” DepEd Memo. 1 s. 2024. Based on the result of Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018, the country was ranked 79th in Literacy and Numeracy ranking. This means in every 10 learners, 6 had poor literacy and numeracy skills expected to the learning age. This means the need for intervention to address the learning gaps among Filipino learners. Thus, the department launch its Catch-up Fridays which the implementation guidelines are written in DepEd Memorandum 1 s. 2024.
DepEd shall implement Catch-up Fridays beginning January 12, 2024, across elementary and secondary schools and community learning centers (CLCs) nationwide. All Fridays of January 2024 shall be dedicated to the “Drop Everything and Read” (DEAR) activity and orientation for field officials. It shall also be used as a venue to gather feedback from field implementers on the guidelines of Catch-up Fridays. Catch-up Fridays is a learning mechanism intended to strengthen the foundational, social, and other relevant skills necessary to actualize the intent of the basic education curriculum. This initiative is integral in the National Reading and Mathematics Programs which are critical subprograms of the NLRP stipulated in DO 013, s. 2023.
DepEd Memorandum 1 s. 2024
Here is the full copy of the DepEd Memorandum 1 s. 2024 entitled Implementation of Catch-up Fridays.
DM_s2024_001Main Objectives of Catch-up Fridays
All Fridays throughout the school year shall be designated as Catch-up Fridays, with a focus on operationalizing the National Reading Program (NRP) during the first half of the day’s schedule and on fostering Values, Health, and Peace Education for the second half. Additionally, the Homeroom Guidance Program (HGP) shall also be included in the Catch-up Fridays. The program is divided into halves:
- First Half: National Learning Recovery Program (NLRP) – Focusing on Reading and Numeracy Learning
- Second Half: Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) and Values Education – Focusing on fostering Values, Health, and Peace Education
Sample Class Program
A Sample Class Program for Grade 1 Learners in the Current K to 12 Curriculum with Catch-up Friday for Single Shift is provided as Enclosure No. 1 of DepEd Memo. 1 s. 2024.
See Also: Reading Materials for DepEd Catch Up Friday Program or use Alapan 1 ES eLibrary with more than 2000 learning resources for various levels and subject area.
Private Schools and Community Learning Centers implementing Catch-up Fridays
As stated in DepEd Memo. 1 s. 2024, the implementation of Catch-up Fridays will be “across elementary and secondary schools and community learning centers (CLCs) nationwide”. It simply implies that all schools including private education institutions must implement all the provisions of DepEd Memo. 1 s. 2024 or the Implementation of Catch-up Fridays. Thus, private schools are also expected to adopt necessary adjustments in its learning delivery to accommodate Catch-up Fridays Program.
Featured: 2nd Quarter Periodical Tests for All Grade Levels (SY 2023-2024) MELCs Based
Catch-up Fridays is Not Graded
Catch-up Fridays shall not be graded. Since its main objective is to reinforce learning, individual progress shall be monitored through the learner’s Reflection Journal, compiling reading experiences, learnings, and appreciation of Values, Health, and Peace Education. Learners may also articulate their thoughts through various forms of writing, such as stories, journals, personal essays, and other forms of creative expression that reflect their unique learning experiences.