Remedial Classes mandated, Bridge Program Optional

The Department of Education (DepED) released the new guidelines on remedial instruction programs in high
school.
Based on the results of the latest National Achievement Test (NAT) for Grade 6, this year’s national average of
58.73 percent increased by 9 percent from the last year’s 50.03 percent. However, this national average remains to
be below the minimum mastery level of 75 percent. This indicates that those who are entering high school have not
yet mastered most of the elementary education curriculum and are unprepared for learning the secondary level
curriculum.
Out of 1,601,549 students who took the test, 471,624 got a percentage score below 50, or no mastery; 808,916
students scored between 50 to 74 percent which indicates near mastery and 321,009 students scored between 75 to
100 percent or adequate mastery.
To address the need for improved mastery among these students, DepED has decided to intensify its remediation
programs. In its recent DepED Order 27 on Remedial Instruction Programs in High School, DepED is mandating all
public high schools to organize and provide remedial instruction programs to enable students to complete high school
with sufficient mastery levels.
For incoming first year students who scored below 30 percent, the optional High School Bridge Program will be
retained and strongly recommended. With the concurrence of their parents, students can participate in the year long
program and receive intensive instruction in English, science and math before they enter high school.
Poorly performing students who prefer to forego the program and opt to go directly to first year high school will be
given mandatory remedial classes in English, math and science in addition to regular classes in these critical
subjects. Students who scored more than 30 percent but below 75 percent will be given mandatory remedial classes.
Incoming second year high school students who were supposed to take the Bridge last year to take who will also
be subject to remedial classes in English, Math and Science. These 250,000 students have improved scores in
English, Science and Math but at levels still insufficient for second year high school. These students will be attending
remedial classes based on the diagnostic criteria set by their respective schools.
A national test in February 2006 will be administered to all second year students to determine who will advance to
third year high school.
The 150,000 students who voluntarily entered Bridge last year have shown significant improvements in their NAT
scores and therefore much prepared start learning the high school curriculum and have more time to acquire more
skills.
The High School Bridge Program (Bridge) is an intensive one-year program in English, Science and Math to
improve on the competencies needed to complete a full high school curriculum (four years). Students who take the
one-year Bridge are prepared to tackle the regular high school curriculum the following year.