Amidst the challenges besetting basic education in the country, the Department of Education (DepEd) has officially launched and commenced on January 12, 2023 the implementation of “Catch-Up Fridays.”

The division of Dapitan City commits and supports the program of the department in response to DepEd Memorandum No. 001, series 2024 titled Implementation of Catch-Up Fridays circulated to bridge learning gaps and enhance reading proficiency of the learners by revitalizing the department’s reading program “Drop Everything and Read” (DEAR).

This is an avenue to provide opportunity to the learners to engage in independent silent reading of their preferred material likewise to strengthen the foundational, social and other relevant skills of the learners particularly on reading which is an integral component of the National Learning Recovery Program (NLRP).

Schools in the division respectively conducted its kickoff ceremony with the presence of stakeholders and learners, highlighting its objectives and the needed support for its successful implementation.

Fueled with motivation, enthusiasm, and support, the teachers started the engagement through various reading strategies such as Drop Everything and Read (DEAR), Read-A-Thon, Choral Reading, Dugtungang Pagbasa, Book Talk and several other activities related to reading were initiated and joined by the learners and teachers in the different grade levels.

In addition, the department ‘s memorandum stated that all Fridays throughout the school year shall be designated as Catch-Up Fridays with the focus on operationalizing the National Reading Program (Drop Everything and Read) during the first half day and on fostering Values, Health, and Peace Education for the second half.”

For effective implementation of the activity CID Chief Vicente Jose V. Suarez II, EMD through Education Program Supervisors in English and Filipino, Ma. Perga A. Cadiente and Lindo O. Adasa, Jr. urged all instructional leaders to diligently implement and monitor the conduct of the activity by employing integrative approach to teaching in order to improve learners’ reading level.

“You and I are part of this program together, let’s discover the magic in reading through “Drop Everything and Read” every Friday,” Suarez concluded.