What began as a collaborative effort between the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) and the Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City Division to address learning gaps has grown into a division-wide initiative that will strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy for thousands of learners across Cebu City.

In 2023, RAFI and DepEd Cebu City launched Kita Ang Pagbag-o: Teaching at the Right Level (KAP TaRL), introducing the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach to help learners build essential reading and numeracy skills based on their actual learning levels. The partnership continued in 2024 through Kita Ang Pagbag-o: Sustainability at the Right Level (KAP SaRL), which focused on strengthening schools’ capacity to sustain and expand the approach.

Building on the gains of these two collaborative initiatives, DepEd Cebu City has officially adopted and institutionalized the approach through Project LEARNN (Learning Enhancement in Reading and Numeracy Needs), a division-wide program that embeds TaRL into its learning recovery efforts.

Implemented over a 10-month period, Project LEARNN reflects DepEd Cebu City’s commitment to ensuring that learners receive lessons tailored to their current learning levels, enabling teachers to provide targeted support that helps close learning gaps, strengthen foundational skills, and accelerate learning recovery.

The transition from KAP to Project LEARNN demonstrates how collaboration can lead to lasting systems change.

As a long-standing partner in education, RAFI continues to support this next chapter as the grantor of Project LEARNN’s Rewards and Recognition (R&R) Mechanism, celebrating the schools, teachers, and learners who have demonstrated excellence in implementing the TaRL approach.

Recognition was given to Most Improved Learners in Literacy and Numeracy, Best School Implementers, and Best Teacher Implementers in literacy and numeracy. Selected schools also received grants for learning facilities and educational resources to further strengthen teaching and learning in their communities.

For RAFI, the institutionalization of Project LEARNN reflects the power of sustained partnerships in creating lasting impact. By working alongside DepEd Cebu City to pilot, strengthen, and now help sustain an evidence-based approach to learning recovery, the Foundation continues to invest in education solutions that empower teachers, improve learning outcomes, and give every child the opportunity to succeed.

This initiative shows us hope that when there is a shared commitment to innovation, and continuous learning, we can transform classrooms and build a stronger education system where no learner is left behind.