A staggering number of Filipino students in Grades 1 to 3 are struggling to read, with only 15 percent reaching grade-level proficiency, highlighting the urgent need for rapid measures—such as more reading materials, teacher capacity building, and parental engagement—to address the growing literacy gap. 

During the first day of the National Literacy Conference in Quezon City on December 2, Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) Executive Director Karol Mark Yee cited assessments showing that 85 percent of students in Grades 1 to 3 are struggling to read, noting that the Philippines is facing a serious early-grade literacy crisis.

Yee reported that assessments conducted in July revealed that only 15 percent of learners were reading at grade level, underscoring the alarming gap.

“Only 15 percent of our Grades 1 to 3 students are reading at grade level — this means that 85 percent are struggling readers,” Yee said in a mix of English and Filipino.

He pointed out that literacy challenges are widespread, with the most severely affected schools located in Regions VIII, IX, and XII.

Yee highlighted the main obstacles to reading proficiency, including a lack of learning resources, insufficient teacher training, and limited parental and community involvement.

To address the gap, EDCOM 2 stressed the urgent need for children to have access to books, well-trained educators to provide effective reading instruction, and proactive measures to ensure reading continues at home with parental participation.

He emphasized that policy support, additional resources, and community involvement are crucial to preventing early learners from falling further behind and addressing the country’s literacy gap.