The Philippines is grappling with a worsening learning crisis, with nearly 4.5 million Grade 1 to 3 pupils failing to meet basic literacy benchmarks, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) revealed Tuesday..

Speaking before the House Committees on Higher and Technical Education and on Basic Education and Culture, EDCOM II Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee cautioned that children are “falling behind very early due to weak foundations.”.

Findings from the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA) for school year 2025–2026, covering all Grade 1 to 3 learners, showed that 33.42% are “low emerging readers.” These pupils can only decode three out of 10 simple words, recognize limited letter sounds, and recall facts but fail to interpret motivations or predict story outcomes..

The results further revealed that 30.87% are “transitioning readers” with partial skills, 12.39% are “developing readers,” and only 14.47% are reading at grade level..

Numeracy was equally troubling. By the end of Grade 3, many students still struggled with basic arithmetic and geometry, leaving them two to three years behind curriculum expectations. A forthcoming UNICEF study confirms that half of Grade 4 learners are performing only at Grade 1–2 levels, with pandemic disruptions compounding the gaps.

Lawmakers urged immediate, targeted interventions to address literacy and numeracy, warning that without urgent reforms, the country’s education crisis will deepen further.