The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) is strengthening teacher capacity building and support for struggling readers in the Philippines through a new Reading Remediation Toolkit. Launched under GBF Class Builder, the foundation’s platform for teacher resources and professional development, the toolkit was developed to support the Department of Education’s Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program. It gives teachers and tutors structured, ready-to-use materials to help young learners build reading skills.
As of February 2026, more than 17,000 teachers and ARAL tutors across 43 DepEd Schools Division Offices (SDOs) have been onboarded onto the platform. Each teacher has access to over 370 resources, including lesson plans, slide presentations, digital books, teacher guides, LAC (Learning Action Cell) session guides, check-in tools, home support activities, and an interactive Sound Wall.
GBF Class Builder rolls out its Reading Remediation Toolkit, expanding support for teachers helping young learners strengthen their reading skills. IMAGE GBF
The toolkit also includes a curriculum map outlining the skills early-grade learners are expected to develop over a 34-week implementation period, alongside a teacher development map covering the competencies and focus areas addressed in its capacity-building sessions.
Developed by literacy experts, the materials are designed to respond to learners’ different needs. The current set supports emerging readers, while materials for developing and transitioning readers are set to be released in future phases. Through structured and research-informed tools, the platform helps teachers carry out remediation sessions with greater clarity and confidence.
From lesson plans to digital books to peer-learning session guides, the toolkit brings together a wide range of resources to support both instruction and teacher development. IMAGE GBF
Tin Asas, GBF Class Builder Content and Learning Design Manager for Remediation and English, emphasized the importance of helping learners build strong reading foundations early.
“When learners cannot read well, they are more likely to fall behind not only in English but also in Math, Science, and other subjects. Reading is a tool for learning across the curriculum.”
She added, “Our goal is for young Filipino learners to become proficient readers who can read with understanding and confidence.”
Designed by literacy experts, the materials guide teachers in building core reading skills through clear, structured instruction in the early grades. IMAGE GBF
One of the toolkit’s key features is the interactive Sound Wall, which supports instruction in alphabet knowledge, decoding, and spelling. To help teachers use it effectively, GBF held the webinar “Phonetics: The Sounds of Language” on January 24, 2026, drawing more than 9,500 teachers from across the country. The session focused on how teachers can accurately demonstrate sound production to learners.
Beyond providing classroom materials, GBF Class Builder also supports teacher development through professional learning and capacity-building opportunities.
Asas shared, “My hope is that teachers will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support the literacy development of their students.”
For more information on the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, visit gokongweibrothersfoundation.org
