MODULE 2: MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING

COMPETENCIES (MELCs)
After having been introduced to the course in Module 1, you will now begin
this course by gaining an understanding of the Most Essential Learning
Competencies (MELCs). We hope that you will be able to strengthen your
understanding through this Module.
In this Module, the development of the MELCs will be discussed, and how
these can be unpacked and combined in planning and designing your lessons.

MODULE OBJECTIVES 

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

*LAC Sessions are included in the activities but may be optional as determined by the
LAC members under the guidance of the LAC Leader

LDM2: Learning Delivery Modalities Course for Teachers 7

LESSON 1: BACKGROUND, RATIONALE, AND DEVELOPMENT OF MELCS

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to familiarize yourself with the background,
rationale, and development of MELCs. In this session, you will be able to:
1. identify the background and basic process of the identification and development
of the MELCs
2. make sense of the function of MELCs as an educational response to a
global health crisis
3. appreciate the MELCs as support for teachers during this time

Key Topics/Concepts
curriculum standards; essential learning competencies; desirable
learning competencies; enduring knowledge

Resources Required
33 Development and Design of MELCs
33 Your learning area’s original K-12 Curriculum Guide and corresponding list of
MELCs
33 Study Notebook

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?
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?

8 Module 2: Most Essential Learning Competencies (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?
2. How does curriculum review aid in the identification of essential
learning competencies?
3. What is the difference between essential learning competencies and
desirable learning competencies?
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?
5. What is the importance of the MELCs in ensuring the delivery of quality instruction?

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/Clustered

Retained

Dropped n/a

LDM2: Learning Delivery Modalities Course for Teachers 9

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.

Good job! You are now done with Lesson 1. Proceed to Lesson 2 to learn how
to unpack and combine the MELCs into Learning Objectives.

10 Module 2: Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs)

LESSON 2: UNPACKING AND COMBINING MELCS INTO LEARNING OBJECTIVES

In this session, you will familiarize yourself with unpacking and combining MELCs into
Learning Objectives. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
1. understand the vital considerations in unpacking and combining MELCs
2. unpack and combine sample MELCs
3. affirm that unpacking and combining MELCs provide curricular flexibilities to field
implementers

Key Topics/Concepts
unpack; curriculum standards; essential learning competencies; content
standards; performance standards

Resources Required
33 Unpacking and Combining the MELCs
33 Your learning area’s original K-12 Curriculum Guide and corresponding list of MELCs
33 Study Notebook

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?

2. What considerations must be taken in unpacking and combining the MELCs?
Explain each.
3. Do all the MELCs need to be unpacked or combined? Why or why not?

LDM2: Learning Delivery Modalities Course for Teachers 11

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.

ACTIVITY 3.

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

Congratulations! You have completed Module 2. You may now proceed

to Module 3A - Lesson Design and Assessment in the Modalities.

12 Module 2: Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs)