The Diocese of San Fernando in the province of La Union is pushing for the adoption of the Central Visayan Institute Foundation Dynamic Learning Program (CVIF-DLP) as an alternative learning delivery method.
Bishop Daniel Oca Presto of the Diocese of San Fernando of La Union is championing the rollout of the crisis-resilient teaching pedagogy. He first heard about CVIF-DLP at a gathering of Catholic educators around 15 years ago. Among the invited speakers were CVIF-DLP founders Drs. Chris and Marivic Bernido.
“Although CVIF-DLP piqued my interest,” recalled Bishop Presto, “I didn’t know a lot of schools had adopted the teaching strategy at that time. So, I thought, ‘Why reinvent the wheel when the traditional method still works?’’
The CVIF-DLP helps develop independent learners with the help of the CVIF-DLP Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) that break down complex concepts into simple lessons that students can easily follow. This method works particularly well with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education where a strong familiarity with foundational ideas is crucial to appreciate more advanced topics.
It might have taken Bishop Presto more than a decade to finally decide to champion the CVIF-DLP across 20 Catholic diocesan schools in La Union, but he says, now is the perfect time.
“I am more confident to advocate for the innovative teaching strategy now that it is being supported by PLDT and Smart. Their partnership with other schools and government agencies, especially the Department of Education (DepEd), has reassured me that we will also have that support once we start our own CVIF-DLP journey,” said Bishop Presto.
The DepEd has also recognized the value of the CVIF-DLP in helping schools in areas that have been devastated by typhoons and other natural disasters.
The agency has recently integrated CVIF-DLP as an alternative learning delivery method in times of crisis. The DepEd has piloted the program in select schools across Regions I, II, III, IV-A (CALABARZON), V, and the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) with a nationwide rollout expected within the year.
“The CVIF-DLP complements the DepEd’s existing teaching strategy. It supports the agency’s five-point agenda under Sec. Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara aimed at improving the country’s basic education system,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart.
The DepEd has identified five key areas of priority. The list includes boosting learners’ foundational skills in reading, math and science to improve Filipino students’ performance in international large-scale assessments, professional development of teachers, employing digital innovations to augment existing teaching strategies, ensuring senior high school graduates are ready for employment, and improving educational infrastructures and resources.
The CVIF-DLP highlights the PLDT Group’s commitment to inclusive quality education through Information and Communications Technology, content, pedagogy and capacity building to ensure that there is #NoLearnerLeftBehind.
The initiative is also aligned with the PLDT group’s broad program to help the country achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 on quality education.