Over 445,000 Educators Join Knowledge Channel Foundation’s Foundational Skills Training
The WATCH. LEARN. TEACH. Online Training Series aimed to engage teachers during the academic summer break
MANILA, Philippines — June 2025 — Over 445,000 teachers across the country tuned in to a two-day online training hosted by the Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KCFI) in partnership with City Savings Bank, focused on strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy instruction for early grade learners.
The training, held on May 23 and May 30, drew massive participation through Facebook livestreams, captivating a total of 243,000 views on Day 1 (Reading) and 245,000 views on Day 2 (Mathematics). The event featured top education experts who shared strategies that teachers could apply directly in their classrooms.
Dr. Portia Padilla, Reading/Literacy Education Area Coordinator and Language and Literacy Education Program Chair at the University of the Philippines Diliman
Literacy and Listening Comprehension in Focus
The first day of the training was led by Dr. Portia P. Padilla, a respected literacy advocate and faculty member at the University of the Philippines - College of Education. Her sessions, “Hear Me Out: Boosting Listening Comprehension Among Children” and “Word by Word: Engaging Children in Meaningful Vocabulary Learning,” focused on helping young learners develop key language skills through engaging, research-based techniques.
Teachers responded enthusiastically to the session, describing it as “useful,” “inspiring,” and “relevant to actual classroom needs.” Many emphasized that they gained new insights into teaching vocabulary and listening — both crucial in developing reading comprehension in early grades.
“Thankful for the new learning that I can apply in my class,” one teacher shared.
Dr. Gladys Nivera, Professor in Mathematics Education and Dean of the College of Teacher Development at the Philippine Normal University
Strengthening Math Instruction with Scaffolding
The second part of the training featured Dr. Gladys Nivera, an expert in mathematics education, who presented “The Art of Estimating and Counting” and “Scaffolding Strategies for Problem Solving in Mathematics.” These sessions aimed to help teachers support learners in developing number sense and critical thinking skills in math.
Educators found the training easy to follow and rich in practical content. Many praised Dr. Nivera’s ability to present complex concepts in an engaging and relatable way.
“The speaker was very knowledgeable and clear,” said another participant.
“The training gives me more strategies I can use to make math more accessible to my students.”
Teachers organized watch parties at their respective schools to tune in for the WATCH. LEARN. TEACH. Online Training Series
A Platform That Works
Aside from the content, teachers also gave positive feedback on the format of the training, which used a combination of video-based lectures and interactive discussions. The digital delivery made the program accessible to educators nationwide, including those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
According to the post-training evaluation, the majority of participants said the sessions were timely, practical, and addressed the challenges they face in delivering foundational skills in reading and mathematics.
Following the success of the two-day event, the Knowledge Channel Foundation announced plans to roll out more training sessions in the coming months, focusing on different subject areas and grade levels. The foundation reaffirmed its commitment to providing free, high-quality professional development opportunities through innovative and accessible formats.
For updates on upcoming training sessions and educational programs, teachers and school leaders are encouraged to visit www.knowledgechannel.org.