Pasig City Lone District Representative Roman Romulo on Friday called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to immediately address what he described as a worsening literacy problem among senior high school students, after data showed that a large majority struggle with reading comprehension.
Romulo, who chairs the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture and serves as vice chairperson of EDCOM 2, said the findings were based on assessments conducted by DepEd during the pilot rollout of the revised senior high school curriculum.
According to the lawmaker, the results are concerning because senior high school students are expected to enter college equipped with the ability to read and learn independently.
“Ang Department of Education, alam na po nila yung datos na ito galing sa kanila,” Romulo said.
“Siguro panahon na sabihin sa atin ng DepEd ano ang gagawin nila kasi sa dami ng subjects, sa dami ng competencies, eh kung yung pinaka-basic yung kulang, ay medyo kawawa rin yung bata,” he added.
Romulo said the agency should focus on improving reading comprehension, even if it requires simplifying the curriculum and reducing the number of competencies students must complete.
“Kailangan marunong magbasa, naiintindihan yung binabasa niya. Pagkatapos po noon, matalino ang batang Pilipino, kaya niya mag-isa na. Pero yun ang unang hakbang po,” Romulo explained.
“Dapat ang DepEd mag-desisyon na paano mareresolbahan ito at hindi ito mareresolbahan ng napakaraming subjects, napakaraming competencies,” he added.
The congressman attributed the literacy issue to repeated curriculum revisions and what he described as an overloaded education system that places excessive academic demands on students.
“Dapat balik tayo sa basics: reading, comprehension. Pag umabot po tayo dyan at nabalik po natin yung pinaka-basic na yun, yung functional literacy na marunong magbasa at naiintindihan, ang batang Pilipino matalino,” he said.
Romulo noted that the country’s poor reading performance has long appeared in international and local assessments, including the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), where Filipino learners have consistently ranked low in reading comprehension.
He also cited concerns from employers, some of whom reportedly prefer college-level applicants over senior high school graduates because of weaknesses in comprehension skills.
The lawmaker stressed that reforms can already be implemented by DepEd without the need for additional legislation.
“Hindi natin kailangan magpasa ng batas para dito sa reformang ito. Kung gugustuhin ng DepEd, kaya po nila on their own. Kasi curriculum lang po yan,” he said.
Romulo likewise underscored the need to support teachers, who also face difficulties handling numerous subjects alongside disruptions caused by suspensions and holidays.
He also warned against excessive dependence on gadgets in early education, emphasizing the importance of traditional learning methods.
“Ang guro kailangang mag-research. Maganda naman talaga yung nare-research pag marunong mag-research.”
“Pero para sa estudyante, hindi na po tayo dapat masyadong naka-focus sa tablet o computer. Kasi ang importante, yung pen at yung paper at yung mga textbook nila,” he said.
Romulo emphasized that strengthening functional literacy remains essential in developing informed and capable Filipino citizens.