DepEd intensifies push for full functional literacy among Filipino learners

THE Department of Education (DepEd) is ramping up efforts to enhance functional literacy among Filipino learners, responding to the latest findings of the 2022 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS).

- BY MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

In a statement issued on Friday, April 4, DepEd said it is strengthening its Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and National Reading Programs to bridge literacy gaps and empower students with critical comprehension skills for real-world challenges.

DepEd also reaffirmed President Marcos' commitment to improving literacy across the country as it welcomed the results of the 2024 FLEMMS, conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

DepEd noted that the latest FLEMMS findings highlight that the Philippines continues to maintain a strong basic literacy rate of 93.1 percent among individuals aged 10 to 64.

This, the agency said, underscores the "country's success in ensuring that the vast majority of Filipinos can read, write, and compute—important foundational skills."

According to DepEd, the survey also reports a functional literacy rate of 70.8 percent, demonstrating that seven out of 10 Filipinos possess high-level comprehension skills needed to process and apply information effectively in daily life.