Education Secretary Sonny Angara acknowledged the literacy crisis in the Philippines and reassured the public that the Department of Education (DepEd) is implementing targeted reforms. These reforms will begin with interventions in early grades and support for teachers who are overwhelmed with their workload.

During an interview at Tenement Elementary School in Taguig, Angara outlined his priorities after almost a year in office. This visit coincided with the start of School Year 2025–2026, welcoming back over 27 million students nationwide.

Foundational literacy and addressing pandemic gaps

Angara stressed the importance of focusing on early-grade learners, particularly in kindergarten to Grade 3. These students are crucial in learning to read and comprehend. Many of them struggled during the pandemic due to the lack of face-to-face interaction with teachers. To bridge this gap, DepEd initiated summer reading and learning programs to address foundational learning challenges.

Literacy crisis in the Philippines

When asked about the literacy crisis in the country, Angara acknowledged that it has reached crisis levels but believes it is manageable. He mentioned ongoing initiatives that involve local governments and private partners to enhance learning conditions. He commended Taguig's local government for their active support and encouraged similar efforts nationwide.

Supporting teachers and reducing workload

Angara addressed concerns raised by teachers' groups regarding their heavy workload. To alleviate this, the administration approved the hiring of 20,000 new teachers and 10,000 administrative officers. The additional administrative staff will handle non-teaching tasks, allowing teachers to focus on teaching. DepEd is also exploring the possibility of offering overtime pay for teachers taking on extra shifts.

Creative solutions for school congestion

In congested areas like Metro Manila, DepEd is considering implementing a voucher system similar to Taguig's. This system provides vouchers to students in overcrowded public schools to enroll in nearby private schools. The department is looking to expand this scheme in Region 4A, particularly in provinces like Cavite and Laguna.

Building resilient schools and emergency response

DepEd is working on infrastructure solutions in flood-prone regions like Negros and Bicol. Angara mentioned a new elevated school design to protect classrooms from typhoons and flooding. In response to the recent fire incident at San Francisco High School in Quezon City, the department is sourcing replacements for damaged furniture and classrooms. Despite minor repairs needed in some schools, Angara described the school opening as generally smooth.

Angara concluded with a message of hope, highlighting that while the challenges are significant, the government is actively working with local communities and the private sector to implement solutions.