LCC backs DepEd’s learning continuity plan

The Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) has expressed support for the basic education learning continuity plan (BE-LCP) of the Department of Education (DepEd) as the coronavirus pandemic upends the education system of the Philippines.

In a statement, the LCC said it “appreciates the rigorous efforts of DepEd to continue providing education amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic and beyond.”

The inter-agency body, which serves as the main advisory and coordinating body in the country for all literacy campaigns and programs in the country, also assured DepEd of its support “to continually deliver and uphold an accessible, relevant, inclusive and liberating literacy to every Filipino, especially to the marginalized sectors.

“In spite of this, we choose to remain focused and to keep on pressing forward towards the universalization of literacy in the country,” the LCC said.

The LCC also called on local government units, government agencies, and non-government organizations “to intensify their collaborations with DepEd, to champion this noble, goal, and to exhaust all efforts for continuous learning of the learners.”

“Literacy for everyone, especially for the out-of-school youths and adults, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, and other marginalized and vulnerable sectors, remains as one of the priorities, and serves as our speckle of hope,” it added.

Instead of holding the country’s National Literacy Awards this year, LCC said it would instead compile best literacy practices of local government units so that these could be used as references in improving literacy efforts.

“We know that our purpose of delivering continued education to everyone is one of the strongest weapons and we shall not let any pandemic stifle it,” it said.

The National Literacy Awards meanwhile was moved to 2021 due to safety concerns.