DILIMAN, Quezon City –  Following a series of consultations with teachers nationwide, “AgriKids” program is set to reach thousands of classrooms early next year, serving as an accessible teaching and learning resource for approximately 10,000 public schools nationwide.

This program, initiated by the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) in partnership with Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) is a video series, revolving around agri-related discoveries of a young learner, “Sasa”. Her story reflects the pandemic situation in a small family living in the suburban area where urban gardening is well-observed.

Specifically, “AgriKids” is a five-year program anchored on the “Consult, Develop, Integrate” strategy, bringing agri-based discussions into primary school levels to address the declining interest of youth in agriculture. 

The video series will be released in consecutive phases, forming part of the digital learning resources of the Department of Education (DepEd) for K1-12 learners until 2025.

The DepEd has supported this undertaking as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to restrict face-to-face interactions,compelling teachers to implement a combination of online classes and distribution of printed and electronic copies of learning modules to students.

Prior to the production of the video series, ATI and KCFI tapped different schools all over the country last August in order to come up with the most timely and relevant agriculture topics for the younger generations that can be taught more thoroughly in class.

“AgriKids” will soon air alongside the different curriculum-based shows on A2Z and KC thru SKYcable, Cignal, GSat, SatLite, PTA cable affiliates and Beam DTT.

Meanwhile, the television program “AgriCOOLture”, which is also a joint project of the ATI with KCFI in 2019 is also currently being aired from Mondays to Sundays at 10:40 AM and 12:20 PM on said networks. 

These episodes introduce the basics of planting and simple urban farming technologies in support to the Department of Agriculture’s “Plant, Plant, Plant” Program.

Complete schedule of other ongoing educational shows, as well as access for more teaching materials and updates are available on the Knowledge Channel’s official website, Facebook page and Youtube Channel. Likewise, video lesson guides for the first quarter are downloadable for free at knowledgechannel.org.

(with reports from Julrose Dela Torre)