MANILA – The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) released on Monday its year two report titled “Fixing the Foundations,” outlining the necessary reforms needed to address the longstanding challenges in the Philippine education system.
In his privilege speech during the plenary session, EDCOM 2 co-chairperson and Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo emphasized the need to prioritize foundational aspects of the education system, including early childhood education, adequate nutrition in the first 1,000 days, and ensuring literacy by the end of Grade 3.
“We must act to fix these foundations of our education system. It is imperative that as we face an avalanche of concerns, we sift through the list and prioritize those that are foundational for our students,” he said. “It is only by fixing the foundations of our system could we build one that fulfills our promise to Filipinos of this generation and beyond.”
EDCOM 2’s year two report draws from a compilation of 97 research studies and 45 consultations conducted throughout 2024 on early childhood, basic education, and higher education.
The report showed severe nutritional deficits, with only 25 percent of Filipino children receiving the recommended energy intake during the first 1,000 days, and one in four children under age five experiencing stunting.
In basic education, many Grade 3 students are reportedly one to two years behind curriculum expectations in reading and mathematics, according to an upcoming United Nations Children’s Fund study.
Textbook shortages also remain a major concern, with only 35 of 94 required titles delivered to public schools as of January 2025.
Natural disasters likewise exacerbate learning disruptions, citing a school in the Cordillera Administrative Region which lost 48 percent of all school days in 2024 due to typhoons and suspensions, underscoring the need for disaster-resilient educational infrastructure.
“We call on DepEd leadership to address these concerns with utmost urgency,” Romulo said.
Path forward
EDCOM 2 Commissioner and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre underscored the urgency of addressing these challenges, noting that the report provides a “road map” to strengthen the conditions of the country’s education system.
“These challenges are not new to us. Many of us have seen them first, familiar communities, but now is a time to go beyond safety recognition,” Acidre said.
Romulo reaffirmed EDCOM 2’s commitment to delivering a comprehensive national education and workforce development plan to Congress by the end of 2025. The plan will include a detailed blueprint for long-term reforms, budgetary priorities and policy recommendations.
“Together, let us turn this crisis into an opportunity — to rebuild and create an education system that befits the boundless potential of the Filipino people,” Romulo said. (PNA)