MANILA – Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Monday said he was planning to consult teachers and students to see if there 

was a need to lift the ban on classroom decorations. 

Vice President Sara Duterte, during her stint as Department of Education (DepEd) chief, ordered the removal of classroom decorations in public schools to ensure that students were not distracted during classes. 

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But some elementary school teachers noted that decorations used as visual aids help students' learning retention. 

"May arguments na for and against diyan. Ako, maybe I will conduct an informal survey, and see the sentiments of the teachers and learners on this matter," Angara told reporters after he led a flag-raising ceremony. 

Angara said he would continue the MATATAG curriculum crafted under his predecessor. 

The learning competencies in the revised curriculum for kindergarten to Grade 10 were reduced to put emphasis on reading, math, science and life skills. 

"Gusto natin na magkaroon tayo ng curriculum stability tayo, that is why sabi nila kada secretary may bagong curriculum. Ako, wala akong balak na magbago ng curriculum we want to work on what is already there. So we will continue with the piloting of the MATATAG curriculum for Grades 1, 4, 7 this year, tapos sa susunod na taon Grades 2, 3 5 and 8, tuloy na ito," Angara said. 

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He added that he wanted to continue alternative delivery modes, such as online classes and modular learning to ensure unhampered learning of students. 

These teaching methods started during the COVID-19 pandemic that restricted face-to-face classes. The alternative learning modes continued to be used during class suspensions due to typhoons and other calamities. 

"That is the option talaga kapag hindi makapasok ang bata sa classrooms. We have to resort to those kinds of delivery modes," Angara said. 

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