Legarda puts literacy at the center of learning recovery on International Literacy Day

Senator Loren Legarda placed literacy at the center of the country’s learning recovery efforts as we mark International Literacy Day, stressing that reading with understanding remains one of the strongest foundations of a child’s education and future opportunities.

“Nagsisimula sa pagbasa ang pagkatuto. Kapag nauunawaan ng isang bata ang kanyang binabasa, mas kaya niyang sumabay sa mga aralin at matuto nang mag-isa. Kaya dapat malinaw ang ating prayoridad: tiyaking marunong bumasa at umunawa ang bawat batang Pilipino,” Legarda said.

Recent data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) show both significant improvement in reading proficiency, but also underscore the scale of the challenge that remains. At the beginning of School Year 2025–2026, an average of 40 percent of learners from Grades 1 to 10 were classified as Struggling Readers. By March 2026, the share of Grade Level Ready or Independent readers had risen from 19 percent to 48 percent, a 29-percentage-point improvement. Despite the gains, one in every two learners remained below grade-level reading proficiency by the end of the school year.

Legarda, who currently serves as an EDCOM II Commissioner and previously served as its Co-Chairperson, said the figures demonstrate that targeted interventions can improve learning outcomes, but these gains must reach more learners and be sustained as they advance through the education system.

“Malaki ang naitulong ng ating mga guro at paaralan, at nakikita natin ang pag-angat ng reading levels ng mga bata. Pero hindi sapat na kalahati lamang ang umaabot sa antas na inaasahan sa kanilang baiting. Dapat matiyak na mas maraming bata ang marunong nang bumasa at umunawa sa mga unang taon pa lamang ng kanilang pag-aaral,” she said.

EDCOM II also found that the challenge remains especially pronounced in the higher grades. In DepEd’s pilot Senior High School Literacy and Numeracy Assessment, only 12.58 percent of Grade 11 learners were classified as Independent readers. This means that nearly 9 in 10 Grade 11 learners, or about 87 percent, were not able to read independently, with 58.9 percent at the Frustration level and 28.5 percent at the Instructional level.

“Hindi dapat umabot sa senior high school ang isang bata na hirap pa ring umunawa sa kanyang binabasa. Dapat matibay na ang pundasyon niya sa pagbasa bago pa man maging mas komplikado ang mga aralin. Kaya kailangang matukoy at matugunan nang maaga ang kanyang pangangailangan, at maipagpatuloy ang suporta habang siya ay nag-aaral.” Legarda said.

Legarda has pushed for reforms across the education system, including stronger support during the foundational years. Among the measures she has filed is Senate Bill No. 1853, or the K to 3 Foundational Learning and Nurturing Care Act, which seeks to strengthen early language, literacy, and numeracy from Kindergarten to Grade 3 while aligning classroom learning with nutrition, health, social and emotional development, and responsive caregiving.

She stressed that addressing literacy gaps in the early years is critical to preventing learners from falling further behind as they move to higher grade levels and eventually prepare for college, technical-vocational training, employment, and other opportunities.

“Hindi sapat na mabasa lang ang mga salita. Dapat naiintindihan ng bata ang mensahe at nagagamit niya kanyang binabasa upang matuto at makapag-isip. Iyan ang literacy na kailangan natin, iyong nagbibigay sa bata ng kakayahang matuto, pumili, at magkaroon ng mas maraming oportunidad sa buhay,” Legarda said.

International Literacy Day is observed every September 8. This year marks its 60th anniversary, under the UNESCO theme “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity,” highlighting the role of literacy in learning, inclusion, livelihoods, and wider opportunities. (30)