Philippine Education Department Reports Significant Gains in Student Literacy

Key facts

• 4.5 million struggling readers improved literacy by end of SY 2025-2026.
• Struggling readers dropped to 2.2 million from 6.7 million.
• "Grade-level ready" readers increased from 3.3 million to 5.8 million.
• "Not or low proficient" math learners decreased from 13 million to 6.8 million.
• Grades 1-3 saw the largest drop in struggling readers (33 percent).
• National average of struggling readers stands at 41.47% per EDCOM 2 data.
• Education Secretary Sonny Angara cited targeted interventions for the improvements.

Literacy Gains Mark End of School Year

The Department of Education (DepEd) announced Wednesday a substantial improvement in student literacy, with approximately 4.5 million struggling readers demonstrating enhanced skills by the close of the 2025-2026 academic year. This development signifies a critical step in the nation's efforts to bolster foundational learning and address proficiency gaps. The figures, derived from assessments including the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA), Rapid Math Assessment (RMA), and the Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (Phil-IRI), paint a picture of progress across various grade levels. Education Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted the department's focused interventions in literacy and numeracy as the driving force behind these positive outcomes. "Our goal is to strengthen the entire learning recovery pipeline—from the earliest grades through senior high—so that early literacy success translates into lasting proficiency and genuine readiness for the world beyond graduation," Angara stated, underscoring a long-term vision for student development.

Sharp Decline in Students Needing Intervention

The number of students requiring urgent support for foundational literacy skills, such as phonemic awareness and decoding, has seen a dramatic reduction. At the start of the school year, 6.7 million learners were identified as struggling readers; this figure has now fallen to 2.2 million. This significant decrease indicates that targeted programs are effectively reaching students most in need. The most pronounced improvements were observed in the early grades, with a 33 percentage point drop in struggling readers among students in Grades 1 to 3. This was followed by a 28 percent decrease in Grades 7 to 10, and a 16 percent decrease in Grades 4 to 6. The department's data also revealed a corresponding surge in students achieving grade-level readiness. Those capable of independent text engagement, referred to as "grade-level ready" readers, increased from 3.3 million to 5.8 million over the course of the academic year.

Mathematics Proficiency Also Shows Marked Improvement

Beyond literacy, the considerable progress in mathematics proficiency. The number of learners across all stages identified as "not or low proficient" in mathematics has been more than halved, dropping from 13 million to 6.8 million. This dual improvement in both reading and mathematics suggests a holistic approach to academic recovery is yielding results. The department has committed to sustaining these gains and expanding successful strategies to higher grade levels. "We will continue to refine these interventions to ensure that the progress we see in the early years is sustained through the secondary levels, equipping our high school learners with the analytical skills they need for the future," a department spokesperson commented, emphasizing ongoing commitment.

EDCOM 2 Data Highlights Persistent Challenges

successes, data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) offers a broader perspective on the national literacy landscape. the national average for struggling readers remains at 41.47%. Within this national average, a significant portion of students, specifically 2,243,059 learners, are categorized under Key Stage 1. This highlights that while overall numbers have improved, a substantial group of the youngest learners still require focused educational support. The EDCOM 2 findings serve as a crucial counterpoint, reminding stakeholders of the scale of the challenge and the need for continued, data-driven interventions to ensure equitable educational outcomes for all students.

Focus Shifts to Sustaining Progress in Higher Grades

With significant strides made in foundational literacy and numeracy, the Department of Education is now directing increased attention towards bolstering measures for students in Grades 7 to 10. The department aims to ensure that the learning recovery achieved in the early years translates into sustained proficiency through senior high school. Secretary Angara's vision emphasizes the creation of a robust learning recovery pipeline that supports students from their initial years of schooling through to their transition into higher education or the workforce. The goal is to equip all graduates with the necessary skills for future success. The department's commitment to refining its interventions signals an adaptive strategy, one that seeks to build upon current successes while addressing remaining challenges, particularly for older students who may have fallen behind during critical learning periods.

The bottom line

• 4.5 million students improved literacy skills in SY 2025-2026.
• The number of struggling readers decreased by over 4 million, down to 2.2 million.
• "Grade-level ready" readers increased by 2.5 million, reaching 5.8 million.
• Mathematics proficiency also improved, with "not or low proficient" learners dropping from 13 million to 6.8 million.
• Grades 1-3 showed the most significant reduction in struggling readers at 33%.
• EDCOM 2 data indicates a national average of 41.47% struggling readers, with over 2.2 million in Key Stage 1.