DepEd approves P131-M literacy fund for 131 schools

As the government moves to confront the deepening learning crisis in the country, the Department of Education (DepEd) approved yesterday the release of P131 million to support literacy interventions in 131 schools that posted negative results in the 2024-2025 Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment.

- By BELLA CARIASO

In an interview at the launch of DepEd's Batang Bumabasa Initiative in Quezon City, Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) executive director Karol Mark Yee revealed that 85 percent of Grades 1 to 3 learners are struggling readers, based on the commission’s latest findings.

He noted that the weakest-performing schools are clustered in Regions 12, 9 and 8 — including Samar, Tacloban, Zamboanga and Socesksargen.

“This effort that we are working on, in partnership with DepEd, focuses on those that need the most help in the schools,” Yee said.

EDCOM 2 has also raised alarms over the surge in functional illiteracy, which has nearly doubled to 24.8 million Filipinos over the past 30 years.

The United Nations Children’s Fund has separately warned of a “real and widespread learning crisis” in the Philippines, with recent assessments showing that most students are significantly behind in reading and mathematics.

Addressing these challenges, Yee said the solution requires stronger learning resources, improved teacher training and active community participation.

“Children need books because how can you improve literacy if you don’t have anything to read? Second, teacher training and third, mobilizing the community because parents play a role, especially in Kindergarten to Grade 3. Learning does not stop in school,” he said.

Book procurement soars, says DepEd

As DepEd moves to strengthen early-grade literacy, the department reported a major breakthrough in learning resource delivery, announcing a 289-percent surge in textbook procurement after a decade-long stagnation in education logistics.