The Department of Education (DepED) Division of South Cotabato will conduct a research study on ISKULTOUR Program after it was piloted last schoolyear (SY) 2017 – 2018.
DepED – South Cotabato Division disclosed that the research study aims to evaluate the level of implementation of the ISKULTOUR Program, identify the strength and the weaknesses, opportunities and challenges met by the program, formulate ways forward for the enhancement of the implementation of the program and establish continued partnership between LGU and DEpED in attaining the goal of improving the teaching-learning process as well as inculcating and supporting local tourism.
ISKUOUR, e fusion of two words, ISKUL which means school and TOUR from the word tourism is the collaboration of DepED South Cotabato and Koronadal City School Divisions and the Provincial Tourism Office in promoting local tourism knowledge among school learners.
It was piloted to the identified Grade 4 to Grade 12 public and private schools of the province before implementing it in all schools of South Cotabato.
The subjects identified in the implementation for Elementary and Junior High School were English, Mathematics, Araling Panlipunan, Science, MAPEH, Pilipino and ESP, while for Senior High School all subjects were chosen except TVL.
Teachers-writers who were selected by DepED Technical Working Group to implement the program wereGraduare Diploma in Cultural Education or GDCE-trained. They formulated lesson plans for the different subjects chosen based on the data gathered and provided to them particularly pictures and descriptions of tourism icons being utilized in the lesson plans. Likewise, the teachers-writers underwent familiarization tour to various tourism sites and landmarks of the province to further supplement their knowledge.
As part of the Outcomes, DepED expects that the crafted research study will disseminate information as well as guide in policy-making for further enhancement of the implemented program and served as intervention platform in addressing the gaps in program implementation.
