DepEd tackles learners’ declining proficiency

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

The Philippine Star

January 23, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  Student proficiency was among topics tackled during the executive committee meeting presided over by Education Secretary Sonny Angara on the recent findings that Filipino learners’ proficiency rates decline sharply from Grade 3 to Grade 12.

Findings by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) examined standardized assessment data administered by the Department of Education (DepEd) from 2023 to 2025.

EDCOM 2 noted that in 2024, only 30.52 percent of Grade 3 learners were considered “proficient” or “highly proficient.”

This means that approximately 70 percent of the learners continued to struggle with foundational skills at Grade 3. This includes recognizing letters and sounds, reading common words, understanding short passages, counting on their own or doing simple numerical problem-solving.

EDCOM 2 added that by the time students reach Grade 6, data from the 2024 National Achievement Test show that proficiency dropped by 11 percentage points to just 19.56 percent. This means that only one in five students were considered proficient.

“By the time they reach high school, these rates then decline dramatically, with only 1.36 percent reaching at least proficient in Grade 10 and 0.4 percent at least proficient by Grade 12,” the EDCOM 2 said.

This means that only about 14 in every 1,000 students at Grade 10 and four in every 1,000 at Grade 12 can demonstrate skills such as problem solving, managing and communicating information and analyzing and evaluating data to create or formulate ideas.

However, EDCOM 2 cited large learning gains among Grade 2 students following recent curriculum reforms implemented by the DepEd.

EDCOM 2 executive director Karol Mark Yee said the commission has long called for decongestion of the curriculum, especially from Grades 1 to 3, to focus on foundational skills especially literacy.

Enhanced ALS

The DepEd announced yesterday the implementation of an enhanced Alternative Learning System (ALS) aimed at widening flexible learning pathways for out-of-school children, youth and adults, aligning the program more closely with the formal K-12 curriculum while strengthening employability and life skills.

In DepEd Order No. 1, Series of 2026, DepEd has aligned ALS competencies more closely with the formal K-12 curriculum and institutionalizes flexible learning modalities and recognition of prior learning and introduces micro-certification.

Under the amended policy, learners progress based on demonstrated mastery rather than age or length of participation the DepEd said.

Beginning school year 2026-2027, all schools division offices are directed to fully implement the revised ALS curriculum for Basic Literacy and Accreditation and Equivalency programs, with separate guidelines to follow for a strengthened ALS senior high school track.