Education Secretary Sonny Angara welcomed the enactment of Republic Act No. 12322 which updates a provision of the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, or Republic Act No. 10533, regarding pedagogical approaches in basic education.
The measure, which lapsed into law on August 2, 2026, amends Section 5, paragraph (g) of RA 10533 by removing the statutory reference to “spiral progression,” broadly reaffirming DepEd’s mandate to manage, select, and refine appropriate teaching strategies.
Secretary Angara noted that while DepEd has always held administrative authority over the national curriculum, the broader wording of the new law will provide opportunities for new pedagogical approaches or strategies in teaching and learning.
“We appreciate the continuous support of President Bongbong Marcos and Congress in strengthening our education framework,” Angara said.
“The updated provision broadly provides policy flexibility, allowing us to maintain instructional approaches that are grounded in classroom evidence and field experience.”
Under RA 10533, which institutionalized the country’s K to 12 basic education program, concepts in subjects like Science and Mathematics were designed to be revisited across grade levels with increasing complexity.
By removing the requirement for spiral progression, the new law allows Science and Mathematics teachers to adopt mastery-based learning or alternative methods, ensuring learners thoroughly understand foundational concepts before advancing.
However, DepEd clarified that any adjustments to instructional delivery remain subject to thorough review, pedagogical evidence, and practical considerations, including textbook supply and teacher training.
“This update is about maintaining the flexibility our curriculum experts and field officers need to address learning gaps. Our focus remains on stability in our schools and ensuring our teaching strategies directly improve learner outcomes,” Angara added.
The law also mandates a systematic curriculum review at least once every five years. All other core curriculum standards under RA 10533 remain intact, and DepEd is currently drafting the corresponding Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR).
