Aimed at harnessing technology for the delivery of education to learners around the country.
Earlier this month, DepEd TV has begun its test transmissions after soft-launching on free-to-air television. The said undertaking is made possible by the tripartite agreement between the Department of Education, Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KCFI), and Solar Pictures, Inc.
Under this collaboration, curriculum-aligned DepEd TV content will be distribute across Knowledge Channel’s platforms on-air, online, and offline, which will be supported by the broadcast infrastructure of Solar, such as channels on cable, direct-to-home satellite, and digital terrestrial television (DTT).
The soft launch of the revamped DepEd TV will see daily programming showcasing lessons from Early Childhood Development for Kids until Grade 10.
Each episode has been organized in blocks dedicated for major subjects: English, Filipino, Math, Science, Araling Panlipunan, at MAPEH. This is to ensure that students will be abke to get a predictable and standardized, televised curriculum.
DepEd said that it will be using the soft launch to assess broadcast performance, assure accessibility in the regions, and coordinate with field office ahead of the nationwide rollout. The complete schedule will be implemented after teh technical at content deployment tests.
Also included in their partnership are digital learning resources and platforms, offline solutions like school-based TV packages and portable media libraries, which can be utilized by teachers without the need for internet access.
The KCFI will also assist DepEd in packaging and programming curriculum-aligned episodes that can be used for schools, such as for offline deployment in areas that are not well-connected.
These televised lessons are vital to ensure the learning continuity, especially during times when face-to-face classes are suspended due to calamities or other reasons.
These programs can also be played in evacuation centers, especially if the students and their families are unable to return home.
According to Education Secretary Sonny Angara, the partnership is an important part of DepEd’s modernization. “Kung mas marami tayong paraan para makarating ang dekalidad na aral sa bawat tahanan at paaralan, mas malapit tayo sa pangarap ng Bagong Pilipinas. DepEd TV will help us close learning gaps by bringing structured, curriculum-based lessons directly to our students,” he said.
The official added, “Malaking tulong din ang mga programang ito upang mapalakas ang pagtuturo at pag-aaral sa pagbasa at pagbilang, lalong-lalo na ang mga nasa Kinder at Grades 1 to 3.”
Meanwhile, for Rina Lopez, President and Co-Founder of KCFI, she emphasized their group’s commitment: “Knowledge Channel is committed to helping DepEd bring structured lessons closer to learners, teachers, and families—especially in areas where connectivity remains a barrier.”
For his part, Solar Pictures, Inc.’s Wilson Tieng shared, “For Solar, this agreement takes us a step towards our purpose. By providing a dedicated digital broadcast channel for DepEd TV, we are directly investing in the country’s future.“
“This endeavor is built on shared goals: to ensure that every child has the right to learn effectively, and to support the delivery of 21st-century learning in the classroom,” he furthered.
According to the technical plan laid out by DepEd and its partners, the rollout includes simultaneous broadcasts, delayed telecasts, and satellite feed integration to ensure wide coverage and continue programming.
It will begin in NCR and select provinces in Luzon, and will gradually be expanded while phased testing and quality checks are being conducted.
For Knowledge Channel, meanwhile, it has more than 16 hours of content from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm on digital terrestrial television and pay television providers nationwide.