The Department of Education Announces 2024 National Festival of Talents
March 12, 2024 - The Department of Education (DepEd) has released Memorandum No. 019 "s. 2024, announcing the upcoming 2024 National Festival of Talents (NFOT). The festival, organized by the DepEd Curriculum and Teaching (CT) Strand through the Bureau of Learning Delivery (BID), will be held in Region VII (Central Visayas) from July 9 to July 12, 2024.
Aligned with the goal of delivering quality, relevant, inclusive, and responsive basic education, the NFOT aims to provide meaningful learning opportunities for basic education learners to showcase their talents and skills. The theme for this year's festival is "Gating, Talino, at Husay ng mga Batang Makabansa sa Diwa ng MATATAG na Adhika" (Strength, Intelligence, and Skill of Patriotic Youth in the Spirit of Resilient Aspiration).
NFOT serves as a reinforcement of the teaching and learning process, reflecting the connection between what learners have learned in school and what they can demonstrate and produce during the festival. The activities and events of NFOT are designed to align with the essential learning competencies and standards of the K to 12 curriculum, ensuring that learners' talents are nurtured in line with their career paths.
The festival also supports the implementation of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act (RA 11904) by enhancing learners' competence in creative industries. By participating in NFOT, learners have the opportunity to explore their talents and skills while immersing themselves in the culture of the host region.
Participation in the 2024 NFOT is voluntary and will not affect the time-on-task of teachers, as the learning standards and competencies targeted by the festival are already embedded in their classroom teaching and assessment processes. Teacher-coaches and participating learners will receive five-day service credits during the end-of-school year break.
To ensure the safety, health, and well-being of all participants and delegates, strict adherence to minimum health protocols will be implemented throughout the festival. The official logo, delegation per region, general guidelines, and specific guidelines for each skills exhibition can be found in the enclosures of the memorandum.
There will be no registration fee for the 2024 NFOT. Traveling expenses for learner-participants and teacher-coaches, as well as program support funds, will be charged to the 2024 Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) Funds. Other official delegates and those from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will have their traveling expenses charged to their local funds or other eligible sources.
The host region and division will provide meals, kits, identification tags, contest materials, and other necessary supplies for the participants throughout the festival. Close coordination between the designated heads of regional delegations and the host region and division is advised to ensure smooth administrative arrangements.
For inquiries or concerns, interested parties may contact the Bureau of Learning Delivery-Student Inclusion Division (BLD-SID) at the Department of Education Central Office. Immediate dissemination of this memorandum is desired.
Let the preparations for the 2024 National Festival of Talents begin, as learners from public and private schools across the country gear up to showcase their remarkable talents and skills!
For more information, please contact the Bureau of Learning Delivery-Student Inclusion Division (BLD-SID) through email at nfot.bldsid@deped.gov.ph or by calling (02) 8637-4346.