18/03/2026
MALABON or MALACAÑANG?
That viral clip may have made people laugh, but it highlights a serious problem. 30% of Filipinos aged 10–64 are functionally illiterate, and 88% of Grade 7 students aren’t reading at grade level. Many junior high students are two or more grade levels behind, and proficiency drops sharply by Grade 12—less than 1% are fully proficient.
The problem is worst in areas like Tawi-Tawi and the Bangsamoro region, which have the lowest literacy rates in the country. This isn’t just about a single wrong answer—it’s a systemic gap in education.
We’re passing students, but many aren’t gaining the skills to read, understand, or think critically. If we continue this way, the next generation will struggle to lead or solve real problems.
It’s time to take action. Let’s raise thinkers, readers, and leaders, not just diploma holders.
