STUDY NOTEBOOK

LEARNING DELIVERY MODALITIES COURSE 2

MODULE 2:
MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING
COMPETENCIES
(MELCs)
MODULE OBJECTIVE:

By the end of this Module, you will be able to:

1. explain the background and development of the MELCs
2. unpack the MELCs
3. combine related competencies into learning objectives

MODULE CONTENT:

Lesson 1. Background, Rationale, and Development of MELCs

Lesson 2. Unpacking and Combining MELCs into Learning Objectives
LAC Session 2

ESTIMATED TIME REQUIRED

3 hours

JUAN DELA CRUZ

Teacher I

LESSON 1: BACKGROUND, RATIONALE, AND DEVELOPMENT OF MELCS

ACTIVITY 1.
Answer the following reflective questions in your Study Notebook:
1. The closure of schools around the world due to the global pandemic posed serious challenges on the delivery
of quality basic education. As a teacher, what do you think are the fundamental concerns in terms of
curriculum standards that need to be addressed in order to ensure learning continuity? Cite a specific
example. Do you think these concerns could be solved by teachers alone? Why or why not?

The crisis brought about by the COVID-19 has posted a lot of challenges for the Department of Education
especially to the teachers who are standing in the front line to provide the continuity in education. As a teacher, I
believe that narrowing down the learning competencies has become a huge factor in order to deliver the only the
most essential in this time of pandemic. However, one of the major concerns to ensure that learning continues is
the implementation process itself. Given the shortage of resources, schools, teachers, and the community itself
are finding means to bridge the gap.

2. Even prior to the spread of COVID-19 that eventually led to the closure of schools nationwide, the congested
curriculum has been a perennial problem of teachers (Andaya, 2018). This is perceived to be one of the
hindering factors on the poor performance of Filipino learners. Do you agree with this observation? Why or
why not?

I totally agree to this. The purpose of the curriculum is solely to achieve a higher standard of education and to
produce competitive learners. But due to its congested nature, students cannot cope up with it and more often
than not, teachers find it hard and time consuming to teach all these competencies which seem to be repetitive
and redundant resulting to poor performance of the learners as well as the teachers.

ACTIVITY 2
Familiarize yourself with the course reading on the Development and Design of the MELCs. After going through the
document, provide a brief and concise response to the following guide questions. Write your answers in your Study
Notebook.

1. What are the general and specific purposes of the development of MELCs?
The MELC is developed to allow students to study based on their abilities to learn skills or competencies at
their own pace. This method is tailored to meet different learning levels that can lead to efficient learning
outcomes through alternative learning delivery modalities. How does curriculum review aid in the identification of
essential learning competencies?

2. What is the difference between essential learning competencies and desirable learning competencies?
Essential learning competencies are defined as what the students need, considered indispensable, in the
teaching-learning process to building skills to equip learners for subsequent grade levels and subsequently, for
lifelong learning. On the other hand, desirable learning compretencies were defined as what may enhance
education but may not necessary in building foundational skills.

3. How were the most essential learning competencies identified? What were the decisions made in order to
trim down the number of the essential learning competencies further?
 The MELCs were identified according to the gaps, issues and concerns across learning areas and grade levels.
The decisions were made due to the limited number of school days and the absence of face-to-face instructions at
this time of pandemic. Hence, narrowing down the the learning competencies is the best option the DepEd has
come up with.

4. What is the importance of the MELCs in ensuring the delivery of quality instruction?
The MELCs are made aligned with the national/local standards, applicable to real-life and are the most
essential competencies that students are expected to learn despite this pandemic. The Department of Education
has made sure that with limited resources, time, and the absence of face-to-face instructions, learners would still
get the the necessary competencies the need to acquire through these MELCs.

ACTIVITY 3
Prepare a copy of your learning area’s original K-12 Curriculum Guide and corresponding list of MELCs. Go to the
sections of the curriculum guide and MELCs that are relevant to your instructional needs. Copy and accomplish the
following table in your Study Notebook and compare the two documents to determine which learning competencies
were retained, dropped, or merged.
K TO 12 LEARNING
MELCS
COMPETENCIES

MERGED/CLUSTERE
D

RETAINED
 DROPPED

K TO 12 LEARNING
MELCS
COMPETENCIES

MERGED/CLUSTERE
D

RETAINED
 DROPPED

ACTIVITY 4
In your LAC Session, discuss and share your answers to Activities 1-3 in this lesson. Discuss any questions about the
MELCs that need clarification as well. Share your thoughts and let your co-teachers articulate their insights regarding
your questions. Jot down all the insights shared in the discussion, including your own, in your Study Notebook.

LESSON 2: UNPACKING AND COMBINING MELCS INTO LEARNING OBJECTIVES

ACTIVITY 1
Familiarize yourself with the course reading on Unpacking and Combining the MELCs. After reading the document,
provide a brief and concise response to the following guide questions in your Study Notebook:
1. What is the importance of unpacking and combining the MELCs?
By unpacking and combining the MELCs, we now have a clear path forward. This gives up a deeper
understanding on how these MELCs are selected. It will be much helpful for us to plan on how are we going to
implement our LCP more efficiently.

2. What considerations must be taken in unpacking and combining the MELCs? Explain each.
The Most Essential Learning Competencies should be aligned to the content and performance standards of the
all the learning areas. Should be based on the learning needs of the learners.

3. Do all the MELCs need to be unpacked or combined? Why or why not?

Of course, unpacking the MELCs are essential in order to have a systematic learning activity so that the
competencies needed by the learners are not congested or repetitive.

ACTIVITY 2
1. Form a group of four members within your LAC, preferably with fellow teachers in your respective learning
area.
2. Using the curriculum guide and a list of the MELCs, choose MELCs in the first quarter and unpack these into
learning objectives.
3. Each team will present their unpacked learning objectives. Discussion and processing will follow each
presentation. Suggestions and insights from each group will be considered in enhancing the learning
objectives.
Repeat the above process but instead of unpacking, each team will now combine at least two MELCs of their choice.
Group deliberation will be observed in order to arrive at a consensus. Discuss and jot down the synthesis of the
presentations in your Study Notebook.