With the meagre funds of the Department of Education that results to insufficient number of teachers and classrooms, there are schools, despite the noblest effort of the Department to augment and meet all the needs of every school, which are still employing the use of combination classes in order to serve all the school children in all grade levels.

This is to accommodate all the pupils despite the insufficient number of teachers and classrooms in the school. Two or three classes are combined just to make education really free and accessible to all. There are even schools which even have all the 6 grade levels under one teacher.

Some grade levels seem to be fine when combined because their subjects and the objectives in their subjects may be synonymous or parallel – like grades 5 and 6 in the old curriculum.

However, a combination class of grades 1 and 2, both under the new K to 12 curriculum where things are most activities and strategies would be experimental for both the teacher and the pupils, it might seem doubly difficult.

Grade 1, as the foundation of the early education after Pre-school might need so much attention and special care. Grade 2 in the same way as it is the first time to implement grade 2 of K to 12 might also demand thorough preparation for the teacher.

Preparing for a grade 1 class in K to 12 is one thing, but preparing for grades 1 and 2 at the same time may demand so much from the single teacher who teaches the combi-class.

It becomes more challenging and more difficult – but teachers don’t complain. If they do – they complain in the silence of their hearts because they are duty-bound to fulfil their responsibilities at all times.

 

 

 

 

By: Grace L. Sotto | Jose V. Abejar Memorial Elementary School | Abucay, Bataan