Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara on Thursday, February 5, announced that the department is reshaping early learning by prioritizing reading proficiency, values formation, and foundational skills for younger students.  

In an interview on DZRH, Angara said DepEd is reorienting early education by reducing competitive testing and focusing on teaching core competencies and positive behavior from a young age.

“Pakikipagtulungan, yun ang kailangan ng lipunan (Cooperation—that is what society needs),” Angara said.

The shift, he added, moves away from an overemphasis on competitive exams to strengthen both literacy and character development, especially for Kindergarten to Grade 2 students.

Angara cited Japan as an example of instilling good values in young learners, where even kindergarteners participate in daily chores, teaching responsibility and discipline.

“Magandang asal talaga ang naibibigay sa kanila, yun ang layunin ng ating sistema pang-edukasyon: gumawa ng maaayos na mamamayan at hindi lang ‘yong talagang gustong mag-succeed at all cost, ‘ika nga, ‘yong ultra-competitive (They are really instilled with good behavior [and] that is the goal of our education system: to produce good citizens, not just those who want to succeed at all costs—the ultra-competitive),” Angara said.

Under the new approach, Angara said early-grade education will emphasize literacy development, ensuring students master reading and comprehension, skills critical for success in all subjects.

Values education will also teach honesty, responsibility, respect, and integrity from the start. Core concepts such as teamwork and discipline will be integrated into daily lessons to enhance cooperation, social skills, and self-regulation.

The strategy takes inspiration from countries like Japan, where responsibility, cleanliness, and collaboration are part of young learners’ daily routines.

Angara said that for DepEd, the ultimate goal of education is to produce good citizens, not just students driven solely by high test scores.

“Gano'ng ultra-competitive o ‘yon ang tanging layunin sa buhay ay gumawa ng magandang resulta sa exam, hindi naman ganon (That kind of ultra-competitiveness, or making exam results the only purpose in life—that is not what we want),” he emphasized.

To ensure successful implementation, Angara said DepEd is assigning experienced teachers to Kindergarten and Grades 1 to 2 classrooms.

These teachers, he added, will focus on quality instruction in literacy and values formation, helping students build a solid foundation for lifelong learning.

Early exposure to reading, critical thinking, and social skills, Angara noted, can improve long-term academic performance and reduce learning gaps in later years.