DepEd to include chess in elementary, HS curricula

DepEd to include chess in elementary, HS curricula
abs-cbnNEWS.com 05/06/2009 3:26 PM
ABS CBN News

Students from Grade 3 to fourth year high school will soon have the added advantage of learning chess in school following the Department of Education’s decision to include it in public schools’ curricula starting October 2009.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said chess will be included in the basic education curriculum for elementary Grades 3 to 6 and in physical education classes of all student levels in high school.

“Global studies have shown that chess is a game that improves individual organization and analytical skills. Children when exposed to this game at an early age achieve academically better or even faster than those who have not been engaged in the same game,” Lapus said in a statement.

The DepEd secretary also said that Filipinos have a great chance to excel in chess. “Just like Wesley So, our youngest and highest rated Filipino grandmaster who is just a few notches away from the elite club of world chess,” he said.

Lapus and National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Prospero Pichay has already signed an agreement on the training of school coordinators.

The DepEd and NCFP partnership aims to “achieve a 90 percent chess literacy and regain Philippine chess supremacy in Asia.”

Lapus said they will be tapping a team of chess coaches led by Filipino grandmaster Buenaventura “Bong” Villamayor to help them in the infusion of chess knowledge among 195 DepEd coordinators in May.

The three-day workshop beginning May 7 will provide training for school representatives who will receive a Certificate of Chess Competence when they pass a competency test.

Source: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com