EDCOM II’s term extended; Legarda vows to address gaps, drive education reforms

Senator Loren Legarda welcomed the enactment of Republic Act No. 12315, which extends the term of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) for two more years.

As the author and principal sponsor of the law, Legarda underscored that this enactment secures the Commission’s mandate to continue diagnosing systemic failures and advancing reforms in Philippine education, with greater urgency now placed on driving concrete solutions.

“As EDCOM II continues its work, we must be deliberate in strengthening our education system,” the four-term senator said. “We will close the gaps, reinforce our institutions, and deliver the changes our learners and educators truly deserve.”

Since its creation under Republic Act No. 11899 in 2022, EDCOM II has produced landmark reports that have revealed urgent realities in Philippine schools. Its most recent, Turning Point: A Decade of Necessary Reform (2026–2035), calls on the education sector to implement strategic, targeted actions. Among its findings: nearly half of Grade 3 learners cannot read at grade level, 88% of Grade 7 learners were not grade-ready in reading, and less than 1% of Grade 12 students reach proficient level.

The report also flagged weak foundational learning, chronic underinvestment, fragmented governance, and deep inequities between urban and rural schools. Curricula remain misaligned with high-growth industries including advanced manufacturing, tourism, and ICT, leaving graduates unprepared for labor market demands.

To address these challenges, EDCOM II has recommended reforms in early literacy and numeracy, stronger teacher support systems, targeted investments in last-mile schools, and streamlined governance to ensure reforms outlast political cycles.

Legarda, who co-chairs EDCOM II as head of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, said the findings demand immediate action. “The evidence tells us exactly where the system is failing,” she said. “We will make sure every reform we advance is evidence-based, targeted, and built to last.”

Legarda has authored several bills aligned with EDCOM II’s recommendations, including SBN-1412 or the Last Mile Schools Act; SBN-1894, which amends the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act to strengthen the efficiency, equity, and accountability of the Tertiary Education Subsidy Program; SBN-1427 or the Higher Education Development and Innovation Act; and SBN-1413 or the TESDA Modernization Act, among others. (30)

EDCOM II Extension, pasado na; Legarda tututok sa pagtugon sa mga kakulangan at pagsusulong ng reporma sa edukasyon

Malugod na tinanggap ni Senadora Loren Legarda ang pagsasabatas ng Republic Act No. 12315, na nagpapalawig sa termino ng Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) ng karagdagang dalawang taon.

Bilang may-akda at pangunahing sponsor ng batas, binigyang-diin ni Legarda na ang pagpapalawig na ito ay nagbibigay ng katiyakan sa mandato ng Komisyon na ipagpatuloy ang masusing pagsusuri sa mga sistemikong kakulangan ng sektor ng edukasyon at ang pagsusulong ng mga kinakailangang reporma, na may mas matinding diin sa paghahatid ng kongkretong solusyon.

“As EDCOM II continues its work, we must be deliberate in strengthening our education system,” ang pahayag ng apat na termino nang senadora. “We will close the gaps, reinforce our institutions, and deliver the changes our learners and educators truly deserve.”

Mula nang ito’y likhain sa ilalim ng Republic Act No. 11899 noong 2022, nakapaglabas na ang EDCOM II ng mahahalagang ulat na naglantad ng mga kagyat na realidad sa mga paaralan sa bansa. Ang pinakahuli nitong ulat, Turning Point: A Decade of Necessary Reform (2026–2035), ay nananawagan sa sektor ng edukasyon na ipatupad ang mga estratehikong hakbang. Kabilang sa mga natuklasan: halos kalahati ng mga mag-aaral sa Grade 3 ay hindi marunong bumasa sa antas na naaayon sa kanilang baitang, 88% ng Grade 7 learners ay hindi handa sa pagbabasa, at mas mababa sa 1% ng Grade 12 students ang nakakaabot sa antas ng pagiging mahusay.

Ipinunto rin ng ulat ang mahihinang pundasyong pagkatuto, kakulangan sa pondo, hati-hating pamamahala, at malalalim na agwat sa pagitan ng mga paaralan sa lungsod at kanayunan. Nanatiling hindi tugma ang kurikulum sa mga industriyang may mataas na paglago gaya ng advanced manufacturing, turismo, at ICT, na nag-iiwan sa mga nagtapos na hindi handa sa pangangailangan ng merkado sa paggawa.

Upang tugunan ang mga hamong ito, inirekomenda ng EDCOM II ang mga reporma sa maagang pagbasa at pagbibilang, mas matibay na suporta para sa mga guro, nakatuong pamumuhunan sa mga last-mile schools, at mas pinasimpleng pamamahala upang matiyak na magtatagal ang mga reporma lampas sa mga siklo ng politika.

Si Legarda, na co-chair ng EDCOM II bilang pinuno ng Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, ay nagsabing ang mga natuklasan ay nangangailangan ng agarang aksyon.

“The evidence tells us exactly where the system is failing,” aniya. “We will make sure every reform we advance is evidence-based, targeted, and built to last.”

Nakapagsumite na si Legarda ng ilang panukalang batas na kaakibat ng mga rekomendasyon ng EDCOM II, kabilang ang SBN-1412 o ang Last Mile Schools Act; SBN-1894, na nag-aamyenda sa Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act upang palakasin ang kahusayan, katarungan, at pananagutan ng Tertiary Education Subsidy Program; SBN-1427 o ang Higher Education Development and Innovation Act; at SBN-1413 o ang TESDA Modernization Act, bukod sa iba pa. (30)