Solon backs proposal to merge arts, social studies, PE into one subject for Grades 1–3

Pasig City Representative Roman Romulo on Wednesday expressed support for the proposal of the Department of Education (DepEd) to merge arts, social studies, and physical education into one subject for Grades 1 to 3.

“Agree po ako fully...May proposal sila na bawasan yung subjects. Mag-i-integrate sila o mag-merge sila ng tatlo, tama po 'yan,” Romulo said at the televised Laging Handa public briefing.

(I fully agree. They have a proposal to reduce the subjects. They will integrate or merge three subjects, that is good.)

Earlier, DepEd’s Bureau of Curriculum Development issued a public invitation to review the draft of some revisions in the curriculum for Kindergarten to Grade 10.

One of the revisions includes the subject Sibika, Sining at Kultura, Kasaysayan at Kagalingang Pangkatawan (SiKaP) for Grade 1 to 3.

For Romulo, students from Grade 1 to 3 should focus more on reading and mathematics. With the integration of arts, social studies, and physical education into one subject, Romulo said the students will have more space to learn these two subjects.

Summer break

Asked about the calls to revert the summer vacation to April and May amid the hot weather, Romulo said he agrees with the statement of the DepEd that they should look into it.

While acknowledging the discomfort of students due to the hot weather, Romulo pointed out that both dry and wet seasons pose challenges for schools.

“Ang importante po dyan talaga, makita lang ng DepEd yun mga datos na magpo-point out kung ano talaga ang mag makakatulong na tuloy-tuloy ang pag-aaral ng quality education ng ating learners at ligtas yung kanilang kalusugan,” he said.

(What’s important is that DepEd should check the data pointing out what would better help the continuous quality education and health of our students.) — BM, GMA Integrated News