A literacy crisis: When reading fails, everything fails

A recent assessment on young learners revealed at the National Literacy Conference paints a troubling picture: only 15 percent of Grades 1 to 3 pupils in Philippine public schools can read at grade level.

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This means a staggering 85 percent of young learners are struggling readers, a statistic that should alarm every educator, policymaker, and parent in the country.

Reading is not merely another academic skill—it is the foundation upon which all other learning is built. If children cannot read by the early grades, they will continue to fall behind in every subject, from math to science to social studies.

Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) Executive Director Karol Mark Yee did not mince words when he described the situation as a "serious early-grade literacy crisis." Assessments conducted in July confirmed that only a small fraction of learners are performing at grade level, with the most affected regions being VIII, IX, and XII. The obstacles were cited as inadequate reading resources, insufficient teacher training, and limited parental and community involvement. These are not new problems—yet their persistence has allowed the crisis to worsen.