EDUCATION MUST EMPOWER, not just inform.
And one of the most pressing issues that remains under-addressed is functional illiteracy.
While the country’s education system boasts of high numbers in its official literacy —hovering around 94 percent. These probably refer to “schooled” Filipinos.
The Philippine Statistics Authority that conducted the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey or FLEMMS, shows that among “Filipinos aged 10 to 64 years, 93 percent had basic literacy, while 70.8 percent had functional literacy.” Even with this number, the FLEMMS interpretation is that “for every nine individuals… who can read, write and compute, two individuals have comprehension difficulty.”
Actually, this finding conceals a more troubling reality: that millions of Filipinos are unable to comprehend, analyze, and apply written information in daily life. This gap between basic reading ability and actual functional literacy poses a significant threat to national development.
Why use the term “functional illiteracy”? This refers to the inability to use reading, writing, and numeracy skills effectively in real-world situations. A functionally illiterate person can verily read a sentence but will be struggling to understand an employment contract, follow medical instructions, or compute basic expenses. Employing one could have far-reaching consequences like low productivity, poor health outcomes, limited civic participation, and entrenched poverty.
The root of the problem? It is persistent shortcomings of the public education system: overcrowded classrooms, underpaid teachers, lack of access to quality learning materials, and outdated curricula. As a result, many students become ill-equipped to navigate complex, information-rich environments.
It could also be that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this crisis when students were forced into distance and blended learning.
Admirable reforms and programs that Department of Education introduced— “MATATAG” curriculum changes and the Alternative Learning Systems (ALS). These were steps in the right direction.
However, these could not stand alone and must be matched with genuine investment in teacher training, infrastructure, and community-based literacy initiatives. Public-private partnerships, greater parental involvement, and a shift in focus from rote learning to critical thinking are essential if we are to raise a generation capable of meaningful participation in society.
Therefore, functional illiteracy is not just an educational concern. It is a national imperative that needs concerted and immediate action.
If the Philippines were to compete in a global economy and build a more inclusive democracy, we must ensure that every citizen possesses not only the ability to read, but the skills to understand, reason, and contribute.
The PH Insider’s stand is clear: education must empower, not just inform.
Let us act before another generation is left behind.
