This town is beating illiteracy - and it’s not in Metro Manila

In a remarkable turnaround that defies national trends, the town of Norzagaray in Bulacan has emerged as a national model in the fight against illiteracy.

- By MERLINA HERNANDO-MALIPOT

Cited by both the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), Norzagaray’s targeted literacy initiatives are proving that even communities outside Metro Manila can lead the way in transforming Philippine education.

Amid growing concern over poor literacy rates in the Philippines, schools in Norzagaray, Bulacan have become a beacon of hope and a blueprint for nationwide education reform.

With support from DepEd, EDCOM 2, and strong backing from the local government, Norzagaray has successfully eliminated illiteracy among Grades 1 to 3 students—setting a new national benchmark.

The turnaround stems from Project BRIGHT (BRIdging Gaps through Helpful Tools), a local initiative launched in 2023 that mobilized DepEd schools, teachers, parents, and the local government to confront early-grade illiteracy head-on.

The results are remarkable: 60.73 percent of Norzagaray learners now read at grade level—significantly higher than the national average of 47.74 percent, according to DepEd’s 2024— 2025 Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA).