DepEd boosts functional literacy, tackles regional gaps

The Department of Education (DepEd) is intensifying its efforts to enhance functional literacy among Filipino learners in response to the latest findings from the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS).

According to FLEMMS results released on Friday, April 4, 93.1 percent of Filipinos aged 10 to 64 have strong basic literacy skills, while seven out of ten possess functional literacy.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted that the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) leads in functional literacy at 81.2 percent, followed by Central Luzon with the highest basic literacy rate at 92.8 percent.

DepEd is working on strengthening Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) and National Reading Programs to bridge literacy gaps and empower students with critical comprehension skills for real-world challenges.

Angara called for collaboration among stakeholders, including government agencies, local government units, and private entities, to further improve literacy rates and address regional disparities.

The agency noted that while the high basic literacy rate indicates progress in foundational skills, a lower functional literacy rate highlights the need for deeper comprehension and critical thinking in the curriculum.