The Department of Education (DepEd) has partnered with the international non-governmental organization Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (Assist) in piloting circularity learning tools from Holcim Philippines’ Circular Explorer project in Metro Manila schools.

DepEd and Assist, which empowers communities to become resilient to social, economic, and environmental challenges, signed a memorandum of agreement on teaching sustainability concepts to young learners in public schools using a teachers’ manual, comic book and high school workbook inspired by the Circular Explorer, the solar-powered recycling catamaran that recovers marine plastic waste in rivers and seas.

By introducing circularity modules in the DepEd curriculums, the collaboration aims to instill concepts and transition to circular economy from a linear economy.

“This partnership with Assist and the Circular Explorer Project aligns with DepEd’s commitment to integrating sustainability education into our schools. By fostering environmental consciousness among our learners, we are equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to champion a circular economy,” Christine Bellen, project manager of Circular Explorer, said.

DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching Gina Gonong praised Holcim Philippines and its Circular Explorer for developing a comprehensive array of educational resources.

“These materials align with the DepEd’s vision of fostering a resilient and child-centered nation as outlined in the Basic Education MATATAG Agenda. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to making significant strides in addressing the challenges facing basic education,” Gonong said.

The DepEd-Assist partnership was cemented with a whole day Training of Teachers sessions for teachers from select schools. The sessions were led by Kendrick Faronilo, president and founder of the Philippine Association of Environmental Science Students. 

As part of the implementation phase, 3,000 students, teachers, and non-teaching personnel from Manila, Pasay, Parañaque and Las Piñas are being eyed to participate in the rollout of the circularity modules.