Holcim, DepEd Launch Circular Economy Curriculum in Metro Manila

1 of 4

Holcim Philippines, through its Circular Explorer initiative, has partnered with the Department of Education and the Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation to promote circular economy education in public schools.

The collaboration was formalized through a memorandum of agreement, targeting pilot schools in Metro Manila with the goal of embedding sustainability concepts into the curriculum.

The initiative includes a toolkit featuring a teacher’s manual, a comic book and a high school workbook aimed at shifting learning from a linear to a circular economy model.

Christine Bellen, project manager of Circular Explorer, said, “This partnership with ASSIST and the Circular Explorer Project aligns with DepEd’s commitment to integrating sustainability education into our schools. By fostering environmental consciousness among our learners, we are equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to champion a circular economy.”

The project also earned support from DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching Gina Gonong, who praised Holcim’s educational materials in a previously published message.

“I commend the Circular Explorer project for its efforts in developing a comprehensive array of educational resources, ranging from comic books and teacher’s manuals to activity workbooks and posters,” Gonong said.

“These materials align with the DepEd’s vision of fostering a resilient and child-centered nation as outlined in the Basic Education MATATAG Agenda. We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to making significant strides in addressing the challenges facing basic education,” she added.

As part of the initiative’s rollout, a Training of Teachers session was held for educators from select Metro Manila schools.

The training was led by Kendrick Faronilo, president and founder of the Philippine Association of Environmental Science Students.

Around 3,000 students, teachers and non-teaching personnel across Manila, Pasay, Parañaque and Las Piñas are expected to benefit from the implementation.