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In a statement on August 8, the Department of Education clarified that the post circulating online is based on an outdated report
Claim: The Department of Education (DepEd) plans to merge the subjects Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) and Music, Arts, PE, and Health (MAPEH).
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: A graphic bearing the claim was posted on August 7 by Carl Balita, an educator and media personality with 3.1 million Facebook followers.
The post featured the official DepEd logo alongside text reading, “DepEd, planong pag-isahin na lang ang Araling Panlipunan at MAPEH (DepEd plans to merge Araling Panlipunan and MAPEH).”
The same graphic was also shared on August 8 by the Facebook page “Hugot pa Teacher,” which has 568,000 followers.
The facts: The posts are based on an outdated report. On August 8, DepEd clarified that the posts were based on an April 2023 PTV News report regarding a proposed merger of the two subjects into one — Sibika, Sining at Kultura, Kasaysayan, at Kagalingang Pangkatawan (SIKAP) — for students from Kindergarten to Grade 3.
While that plan did exist in 2023, DepEd stated that the news item “reflects outdated discussions from 2023 and does not represent current policy.” According to the education department, “Makabansa” serves as a distinct learning area for Grades 1 to 3 under the revised K to 10 curriculum, while Araling Panlipunan and MAPEH will continue to be taught as separate subjects starting in Grade 4.
“We urge the public to practice critical thinking, check context, and verify release dates before sharing content online,” the statement added.
AP and MAPEH: According to a 2013 DepEd curriculum guide, Araling Panlipunan or Social Studies aims to shape critical, reflective, responsible, productive, and patriotic citizens, as well as equip them with an appreciation for historical and social issues.
The subject MAPEH, meanwhile, covers lessons in music, arts, physical education, and health to “culturally enrich students and help them enjoy and learn new things.”
In 2023, DepEd launched its “Matatag” revised K-10 curriculum, which reduces the number of learning areas for students to focus on foundational skills.
Edited caption: Around five hours after DepEd debunked the misleading post on August 8, the “Hugot pa Teacher” page edited its caption.
As of writing, the post now includes a disclaimer stating that the report was based on a 2023 draft proposal. However, the original publication material remains up and continues to circulate online.
Meanwhile, Balita’s post also remains up without any DepEd clarification.
Debunked: Rappler has previously debunked false claims related to DepEd and its curriculum and programs.
- FACT CHECK: K to 12 program not abolished
- FACT CHECK: Revised K-10 curriculum is part of K to 12 program
- FACT CHECK: DepEd has no ‘Baon Program’
– Lyndee Buenagua/Rappler.com
Lyndee Buenagua is a senior student journalist and an alumna of Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2024.
Keep us aware of suspicious Facebook pages, groups, accounts, websites, articles, or photos in your network by contacting us at factcheck@rappler.com. Let us battle disinformation one Fact Check at a time.
