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 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS).

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.

FLEMMS results show gains, opportunities

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 ten Filipinos possess high-level comprehension skills needed to process and apply information effectively in daily life.

“These figures affirm our ongoing efforts to strengthen foundational education while also highlighting areas where we can further enhance our learners’ skills,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

“With a strong literacy base in place, we are poised to expand our programs to ensure that every Filipino gains the ability to think critically and engage meaningfully in society,” he added.

The survey also revealed encouraging literacy trends across different regions of the country.

The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), for instance, leads in functional literacy at 81.2 percent, while Central Luzon recorded the highest basic literacy rate at 92.8 percent—underscoring the effectiveness of regional education initiatives.

Moving forward

DepEd reiterated its commitment to improving literacy through curriculum enhancement and targeted teaching strategies.

“While the high basic literacy rate indicates progress in foundational skills, the lower functional literacy rate highlights the need for deeper comprehension and critical thinking in the curriculum,” DepEd said.

The agency also noted that the survey identified variations in functional literacy across regions, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.

“Regional disparities in literacy also suggest that differentiated instruction and localized curriculum adaptations are necessary to address varying learner needs,” it added.

Moving forward, DepEd said it will emphasize collaboration among stakeholders, which it described as essential to ensuring that literacy initiatives are both inclusive and sustainable.

“We are continuously innovating our approaches to ensure that literacy education remains dynamic, engaging, and accessible to all,” Angara said.

“By integrating comprehension and analytical thinking into our programs, we aim to produce learners who are not only literate but also highly competent in navigating real-world challenges,” he added.

Shared responsibility

Meanwhile, DepEd said it recognizes that fostering literacy is a shared responsibility and encouraged collaboration between government agencies, local communities, private institutions, and families.

“We celebrate these literacy milestones while also committing to continuous improvement,” Angara said. “Functional literacy is a powerful tool for national development, and we invite all sectors to join us in this mission,” he added.

Citing PSA data, DepEd noted that the 2024 FLEMMS covered 177,656 eligible sample households and 572,910 individuals aged five years and older.