Public school libraries to get books, resources

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has approved 3,250 supplementary learning resources (SLRs) that may be procured by public school libraries and library hubs established by school divisions in partnership with local government units.

SLRs are defined as storybooks, big books, fictional materials and references for general use or for specific learning areas other than textbooks.

The DepEd said SLRs are needed to augment the available learning resources for students, particularly the primary references that they use in the classes.

In the guidelines for procuring SLRs, the agency noted the need to update the learning resources in libraries in response to the new curriculum rolled out in relation with the K-12 program.

 “The DepEd is promoting the love for and habit of reading through the institutionalization of libraries in every school. School libraries and library hubs serve as reservoir of adequate and varied quality SLRs,” read the guidelines.

“SLRs shall be made available and accessible to teachers and learners in order to create a pervasive reading culture and environment in public schools. As a result, learners and teachers will develop the ability to use these resources efficiently and effectively as tools for learning and teaching,” it said.