What Is the Ilaw Lesson Plan Format?
If you're a teacher in the Philippines, you've probably heard the buzz about the new Ilaw lesson plan format. Maybe your school head mentioned it in a meeting. Maybe a co-teacher shared a post about it online. Either way, there's a lot of confusion — so let's clear things up.
ILAW stands for Intentions, Learning Experiences, Assessment, Ways Forward. It is the new unified lesson plan format prescribed by the Department of Education (DepEd) under DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2026, also known as the "Guidelines on Implementation of Three-Term School Calendar in Basic Education."
Here's the big news: Ilaw replaces both the old DLP (Detailed Lesson Plan) and DLL (Daily Lesson Log) that teachers have been using since DepEd Order No. 42, s. 2016. That means whether you're a new teacher or a seasoned veteran, everyone will now follow just one lesson plan format.
No more confusion about which template to use. No more divisions creating their own versions. The Ilaw format is the standard — and schools, divisions, and regions are prohibited from requiring any additional lesson plan templates beyond Ilaw.
The 4 Sections of the Ilaw Format (I-L-A-W)
The name "Ilaw" isn't just a creative acronym — it actually means "light" in Filipino, which is a nice touch. Each letter stands for a major section of the lesson plan. Let's break them down one by one.
I — Intentions
This is where you lay the groundwork for your lesson. Think of it as answering the question: "What do I want my students to learn today, and why?"
- State your learning objectives clearly
- Identify the content standards and performance standards you're targeting
- Align your lesson with the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs) or the relevant curriculum guide
- Set the purpose so that both you and your students know what the lesson is about
The key here is clarity. If you can't explain the goal of your lesson in simple terms, it might be too vague. Intentions keep you focused.
L — Learning Experiences
This is the heart of your lesson — the part where actual teaching and learning happens. This section covers:
- What activities will students do? These should be engaging, student-centered, and connected to the objectives you set in the Intentions section.
- What strategies will you use? Think collaborative work, hands-on activities, discussions, problem-solving, or multimedia presentations.
- What resources do you need? Textbooks, worksheets, videos, manipulatives — list them here.
This section is guided by evidence-based principles (more on that below), so it's not just about keeping students busy. It's about designing experiences that actually lead to deep learning.
A — Assessment
How will you know if your students actually learned something? That's what this section is for.
- Plan formative assessments (quick checks during the lesson) and summative assessments (end-of-lesson or end-of-unit evaluations)
- Use a variety of methods: quizzes, oral recitation, performance tasks, exit tickets, peer evaluation, and more
- Make sure your assessments are aligned with your Intentions — you should be measuring what you actually taught
Assessment isn't just about giving grades. It's about understanding where your students are so you can adjust your teaching.
W — Ways Forward
This is the reflection and next-steps section. After the lesson, you ask yourself:
- What worked well?
- What didn't work?
- What do I need to do differently next time?
- Do some students need remediation or enrichment?
This section is important because teaching is not a one-and-done thing. Every lesson is a chance to improve. Ways Forward encourages you to be reflective and responsive to your students' needs.
The 8 Learning Design Principles Behind Ilaw
One of the things that makes the Ilaw format special is that it's not just a template — it's grounded in 8 evidence-based Learning Design Principles. These principles guide how you plan your Learning Experiences. Here they are:
1. Clear Goals and Teaching
Every lesson should have a clear, specific learning goal. Students should know what they're aiming for, and your teaching strategies should directly support that goal.
2. Scaffolding
Don't throw students into the deep end. Build their understanding step by step. Start with what they already know, then gradually increase the complexity. Provide support when needed, and slowly remove it as students gain confidence.
3. Checks for Understanding
Don't wait until the end of the lesson to find out if students are lost. Check in regularly. Ask questions, observe their work, use quick formative assessments. This helps you catch misunderstandings early.
4. Active Retrieval and Spacing
Research shows that students learn better when they actively recall information instead of just re-reading notes. Spacing out practice over time — instead of cramming — also helps long-term retention.
5. Self-awareness and Metacognition
Help students think about their own thinking. When students understand how they learn, they become better learners. Encourage them to set goals, monitor their progress, and reflect on their strategies.
6. Social Learning
Learning is social. Students benefit from collaboration, discussion, and peer interaction. Group work, think-pair-share, and class discussions are all great ways to incorporate social learning.
7. Values and Purpose Integration
Lessons should connect to real life and help students see the relevance and purpose of what they're learning. Integrating values — like respect, responsibility, and empathy — makes learning more meaningful.
8. Inclusion
Every student deserves to learn. Your lesson should be designed to accommodate different learning needs, including students with disabilities, indigenous learners, and students from diverse backgrounds. Inclusion is not optional — it's a principle.
How Is Ilaw Different from the Old DLL and DLP?
If you've been teaching for a while, you're probably familiar with the old formats established under DepEd Order No. 42, s. 2016:
- DLL (Daily Lesson Log) — a simpler format for experienced teachers
- DLP (Detailed Lesson Plan) — a more detailed format required for new teachers
Here's how Ilaw is different:
| Feature | Old DLL/DLP | New Ilaw Format |
|---|---|---|
| Number of formats | Two (DLL and DLP) | One unified format |
| Who uses which? | DLL for experienced, DLP for new teachers | Everyone uses Ilaw |
| Structure | Objectives, Content, Procedures, Remarks, Reflection | Intentions, Learning Experiences, Assessment, Ways Forward |
| Guiding principles | None explicitly stated | 8 evidence-based Learning Design Principles |
| AI Declaration | Not included | Included |
| Custom templates allowed? | Divisions often created their own | Prohibited — Ilaw is the only format |
The shift from two formats to one is a big deal. It simplifies things for everyone and ensures consistency across all schools.
The AI Declaration Section
Here's something completely new: the Ilaw format includes an AI use declaration section.
This is a sign of the times. With tools like ChatGPT and other AI assistants becoming more common in education, DepEd wants teachers to be transparent about how AI was used in preparing their lessons.
The AI declaration section asks you to indicate:
- Whether you used AI tools in creating the lesson plan
- How AI was used (e.g., generating ideas, drafting content, creating assessments)
- What modifications you made to the AI-generated content
This isn't about discouraging AI use — it's about promoting responsible and transparent use of technology. It's actually a progressive move by DepEd, and it shows that the department recognizes the role of AI in modern teaching.
Pro tip: Using AI to help draft your lesson plan is perfectly fine — as long as you review, customize, and make sure it fits your students' needs. AI is a tool, not a replacement for your professional judgment.
What This Means for You as a Teacher
The transition to the Ilaw format might feel overwhelming at first, especially if you've been using the DLL or DLP for years. But here's the thing: change is part of teaching. And this change is designed to make your life easier, not harder.
Here's a quick summary of what you need to do:
- Familiarize yourself with the 4 sections (I-L-A-W) and understand what goes into each one
- Study the 8 Learning Design Principles — they'll guide how you design your lessons
- Stop using the old DLL/DLP templates for SY 2026-2027 onward
- Don't panic if your school hasn't rolled out training yet — start reading up on your own and connect with fellow teachers online
And if you want to save time and create Ilaw-aligned lesson plans quickly, there's a tool that can help.
Create Ilaw Lesson Plans in Minutes
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Sources
- DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2026 — Guidelines on Implementation of Three-Term School Calendar in Basic Education
- DepEd Order No. 42, s. 2016 — Policy Guidelines on Daily Lesson Preparation for the K to 12 Basic Education Program
- deped.gov.ph
- depedtambayanph.net
- pna.gov.ph
