Integration of values and peace education in Catch-up Fridays: Challenges and strategies

This research examines the relevance, challenges, and strategies in the integration of values and peace education during Catch-Up Fridays, a program of the Department of Education to address gaps in learning brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. is study employs a descriptive qualitative design, and data were gathered from 115 public school teachers from the City Schools Division of Dasmariñas that served as the respondents of this study. An open-ended questionnaire was validated by three public school district supervisors and floated online using Microso Forms to gather data from the target participants. rough thematic analysis, integrating values and peace education is found to be vital in raising morally sound, socially conscious, and well-rounded individuals, particularly in addressing issues related to learners’ behaviors; similarly, it is beneficial for both students and teachers in fostering empathy, cooperation, and conflict resolution skills. However, there are challenges faced by teachers: lack of materials, time constraints, inadequate training, and students’ behavior. Strategies used to ensure student engagement are interactive activities, storytelling/reading, group work, and multimedia. In conclusion, the study finds that while the integration is beneficial, it is equally important to address the challenges identified, such as inadequate resources, professional development, and community support. Recommendations include the provision of sufficient resources, enhancement of teachers’ competence, effective time management, and fostering a supportive community to ensure not only the integration of values and peace education but also the successful overall implementation of Catch-Up Fridays.