ABS-CBN’s subsidiary Creative Programs Inc. (CPI) eyes partnership with regional cable operators across the country to carry Knowledge Channel and make use of their cable systems to provide TV-based learning as the Philippines shifts to distance education for the new school year.
 
Together with the Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association (PCTA), CPI stages a series of virtual roadshows dubbed “Educating Through Cable in the Time of COVID” emboldening cable operators in various regions to air Knowledge Channel’s video lessons and help in educating Filipino school children in their respective localities.
 
Knowledge Channel, currently available in almost two million households nationwide, has produced over a thousand educational videos based on DepEd’s K to 12 curriculum. This year, with the implementation of DepEd’s “Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan in the Time of COVID-19,” the channel aligned its content to meet the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs) as determined by the government agency.
 
“We have matched our video lessons to these competencies and we have prepared an ecosystem of learning solutions in time for the opening of classes on August 24,” president and executive director of Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. Rina Lopez-Bautista said at the CPI roadshow for MIMAROPA region cable operators held last Friday (August 7).  
 
The educational channel has already achieved 100% of the MELC requirement for grades 1 to 10 students for the first two quarters of the school year.  “We’re ready to start our broadcast of quarter 1 on August 24 with daily video lessons for grades 1 to 3, and every other day for [grades] 4 to 10, with videos that are really based on the MELC,” explained Knowledge Channel’s director of operations Edric Calma. 
  
Meanwhile, PCTA president Joel Dabao encouraged fellow cable operators in MIMAROPA to maximize TV-based learning by carrying Knowledge Channel for its educational content. 
 
“I hope all our attendees can see the gap we can fill by working together with the Knowledge Channel. They have ready-made content and there are many homes that need our help. I think at this time, we should really do our best to make sure that they have this,” he said. 
  
Aside from the 16 MIMAROPA cable operators and affiliates who attended, representatives from the local DepEd divisions were also present in the virtual event, led by Regional Director Benjamin Paragas who discussed updates on the region for School Year 2020 to 2021.  
 
CPI’s series of virtual roadshows featuring Knowledge Channel started last August 3 for Region X (Northern Mindanao), attended by members of PCTA and other cable operators. Its next leg will be held on August 18 (Tuesday) for Region VI (Western Visayas).
 
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