The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that approximately 18.9 million Filipinos who completed secondary education between 2019 and 2024 are functionally illiterate.
These findings were revealed during a Senate hearing on Wednesday, based on the PSA’s Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Study (FLEMMS).
The study highlights that despite finishing years of formal education, many graduates struggle with reading comprehension. This marks a significant challenge in the country’s education system.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Education, expressed concern over the findings, stressing the urgent need for a national strategy to address functional illiteracy.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration among policymakers to tackle the issue effectively.
The Senate hearing, which focused on potential solutions to improve literacy rates, underscored the need for targeted interventions in the education sector.
Gatchalian called for immediate action to prevent further decline in literacy levels among graduates.