DepED Adopts Chess in School Curriculum

PIA Press Release
2009/01/11

Tacloban City (January 11) -- Chess will soon become a part of the school curriculum, per DepEd Memorandum No. 1 series of 2009, issued on January 8.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said that the Department of Education will adopt Chess as a strategy to promote the development of higher order thinking skills and values Grades 3 - 6 in the subject Edukasyon sa Pagpapalakas ng Katawan (Physical Education).

Chess will also be used at the secondary level as part of the Physical Education curriculum.

Furthermore, Chess will remain as a game category in the Provincial, Regional and National athletic games.

Global studies have shown that Chess is a game that improves individual organizational and analytic skills, Secretary Lapus said. Children when exposed to this game at an early age achieved academically better or even faster than those who have not been engaged in this game.

Chess is also among the activities that help build memory skills, concentration, self-confidence, self esteem, and in making disciplined divisions. Playing Chess provides opportunities to practice such values as perseverance, honesty and sportsmanship.

In order to facilitate the successful inclusion of Chess in the curriculum, Secretary Lapus has given specific directives to the DepEd Central, Regional and Division Offices.

He has directed the Division Offices to conduct mapping of Chess experts in the community to mentor teachers and children. The Division Offices have been directed to purchase chess sets using their MOOE and to provide each school with Chess sets following the three sets per class ratio.

The Divisions will also launch Project Chess with parents, local government units and non-government organizations in the community in order to generate awareness, support and appreciation of such strategy. Distribution of Chess sets will be done during the launching.

The Regions will monitor the utilization of Chess as strategy to develop higher order skills and values and provide technical assistance.

The Central Office will formulate guidelines, manual and or lesson exemplars on the use of Chess in developing higher order thinking skills and values in the elementary level and to enhance the existing practice at the secondary level. (PIA 8) [top]