MODULE # 2: MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING

COMPETENCIES (MELCs)
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?
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) introduce many changes in standard and way
of living. Because of this event, numerous important life lesson was evolved and
discovered. On the top of that is education and health. Thus, the traditional face-to-face
instruction is not allowed based on the recommendation of IAFT and LGUs to maintain
physical distancing and to avoid virus for spreading. With this global pandemic we have
today, this make education for children more difficult to achieve. However, learning must
not stop despite of the pandemic. Learning continuity became possible by means of
distance approach in the education and modular learning modality. The success of the
program and this approach could not be achieved by the teacher alone. Collaboration
and support from all the sector of education and stakeholder play crucial role. An extra
effort is required from planning to implementation because for some it may be something
new.

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?
Achieving higher standard education and producing globally competitive learner
were the goal of the curriculum. But, based on my own opinion and observation, the jam-
packed learning competencies that a teacher needs to deliver may result to poor
performance and lead for not mastering the most important learning. Division and
allotted time for the content are not enough for some average and challenging learners
to understand and master the required skills or knowledge.

MODULE # 2: MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING

COMPETENCIES (MELCs)
Lesson 1: Background, Rationale, and Development of MELCs

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 Bureau of Curriculum Development of the Department of Education created
MELCs to meet with the major shift in the educational environment due to the pandemic
of Covid19. The concentration of teaching was simplified to the most important or most
essential learning competencies.
MELCs are also being introduced in response to the Fourth Sustainable
Development Goal of UNESCO, which is the development of sustainable education
systems, especially during emergencies.
MELCs can be used as a mechanism to ensure education continuity.
MELCs aim to help schools manage the limited number of school days by
supplying them with adequate classroom space by employing various distribution
schemes.

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2. How does curriculum review aid in the identification of essential learning competencies?
Based on the differences, problems and concerns across learning areas and
grade levels, the MELCs were established. Due to the limited number of school days and
the restriction of face-to-face instructions at this pandemic moment, decisions were
taken. Therefore, the safest option that DepEd has come up with is to narrow down the
learning competencies. Examination of the interconnectedness of prerequisite
information and skills for each subject field amongst learning competencies.

3. What is the difference between essential learning competencies and desirable learning
competencies?
In the teaching-learning phase, essential learning competencies are identified as
what students need, deemed indispensable, to develop skills to prepare learners for
subsequent grade levels and, subsequently, for lifelong learning. It also applicable to
real life situations. On the other hand, desirable learning competencies have been
described as what can boost education but may not be sufficient to construct a
foundational tool. 

4. 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 learning competencies were identified essential when it is applicable to real-
life situations. It includes the knowledge or skills that is necessary for the students to
learn the skills on that specific grade level. Likewise, MELCs were identified according
to gaps, issues and concern across learning areas. The decision was made in order to
address problem related to number of school days and the absence of face-to-face
instructions at this time of pandemic. Hence, narrowing down the learning competencies
is the best option the DepEd has come up with.

5. What is the importance of the MELCs in ensuring the delivery of quality instruction?
The MELCs are consistent with real-life national/local expectations and are the
most critical skills that, amid this pandemic, students are required to acquire. MELCS
works as a teacher guide in the planning of our lesson (home learning weekly plan) and
teaching materials (Self- Learning Modules). MELCs ensure that quality education is
provided as it becomes the key guide in defining and applying approaches to learning
delivery that are suitable for the local context and diversity of learners when responding
to the difficulties raised by COVID-19.

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 MODULE # 2: MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING
COMPETENCIES (MELCs)
Lesson 1: Background, Rationale, and Development of 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

MODULE # 2: MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING

COMPETENCIES (MELCs)
Lesson 1: Background, Rationale, and Development of MELCs

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.

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 MODULE # 2: MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING
COMPETENCIES (MELCs)
Lesson 2: Unpacking and Combining MELCs into Learning Objectives

Submit your Activity 2 Outputs to your LAC Leader. Make sure to keep a copy of your outputs.

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