To prepare for the integration, DepEd has created the Media Literacy Task Force (MLTF) which was given the green light to develop a National Media Literacy Education (NMLE) curriculum that would help children understand and handle media.

“Our children need help in developing their skill to distinguish good news from bad news and good programs from bad ones,” explained Valisno.

She said recent studies of the Cartoon Network New Generations Philippines (2009), the 2008 AC Nielsen kid study, and the 2002 PCTVF Media Violence Study showed that 26 percent of Filipino children go online every day.

Likewise, a 2008 study conducted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) showed that excessive exposure to television is one of the leading causes of physical weakness, stress, poor appetite, aggression, and violent behavior among children.

These prompted the DepEd National Council for Children’s Television, Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, and Smart Communications to launch the Bantay TV campaign.

The campaign involves the monitoring of television programs especially those that are shown between 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., the time when majority of children can watch TV shows.

It is aimed at reducing by 20 percent the incidence of vulgarity, discrimination, sex, and violence in TV.

The NMLE is set to be integrated in the Basic Education Curriculum under Social Studies for the elementary level; and under English, Communication Arts, and Values subjects for the high school.

Valisno said teachers, school administrators, and peer educators will soon undergo trainings in preparation for the integration. Media learning resources will also be developed for the use in public schools.

Source: Sunstar Manila, May 16, 2010