‘Grade 3 textbook complies with DepEd curriculum’

Rex Book Store lnc. always ensures that it complies with the guidelines prescribed by the Department of Education (DepEd) in the development of its learning materials. lt also welcomes comments from all stakeholders that allow the company to further improve in every aspect.

It is for this reason that we issue this statement to shed light on the points raised in the letter “NCR is not the Philippines” (12/16/19) from Antonio Calipjo Go, where the author raised some concerns about the content of Rex Book Store’s grade-school level textbook in Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) titled “Lahing Pilipino, Kaagapay sa ika-21 Siglo” for Grade 3, which is part of a series of six.

While we echo the author’s concern “that Araling Panlipunan is the one subject that tells us everything we need to know about the Philippines,” we need to inform the public that the K-to-12 Gabay Pangkurikulum sa Araling Panlipunan issued in May 2016 prescribes a particular scope in teaching the subject for each grade level, as stated below:

Grade 1: Ako, ang Aking Kapwa, at Paaralan

Grade 2: Ang Aking Komunidad, Noon at Ngayon

Grade 3: Ang mga Lalawigan sa Aking Rehiyon

Grade 4: Ang Bansang Pilipinas

Grade 5: Pagbuo ng Pilipinas Bilang Nasyon

Grade 6: Mga Hamon at Tugon sa Pagkabansa

Thus, Rex was complying with the prescribed curriculum when it covered the NCR in the textbook mentioned in the article. Following the Spiral Progression approach leads to learners developing a holistic view of the Philippines as a sum of its citizens, communities, cities and regions; and as a nation shaped by its culture, and history of struggles and victories.

Rex applied a localized/regional approach to fully realize the theme, “Ang Mga Lalawigan sa Aking Rehiyon,” in teaching Araling Panlipunan for Grade 3, through its Lahing Pilipino series.

The first localized version of Lahing Pilipino was released by Rex for Grade 3 students in the NCR in 2019. It will release the localized/regional version for Grade 3 students in Davao, Gitnang Luzon, Gitnang Visayas, Kanlurang Visayas, Calabarzon and Panrehiyon in 2020.

Lahing Pilipino 3-Panrehiyon is a version meant to cater to all other regions because it is contextualized to fit any region in the Philippines. Furthermore, its Teachers’ Resource Material (TRM), which is accessible through a QR code, can guide teachers in using relevant additional information about the 17 regions.

Lahing Pilipino for Grades 4 to 6, which is also part of the series mentioned in the article, covers the prescribed competencies and content of the DepEd on AP. The “Philippines, the country itself, and its component regions and provinces, their capitals and most important cities and towns” are tackled in these books.

With these clarifications, we hope to have provided the proper context in the design and development of this learning material. Rex has always subscribed to the highest level of quality and has consistently complied with the requirements of the curriculum to ensure the effectiveness of our products and services, and it will continue to do so.

REX BOOK STORE
Rex Knowledge Center
109 Sen. M. Cuenco Sr., Quezon City