The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) has warned of a “real and widespread learning crisis” in the Philippines, as recent findings revealed that a vast majority of its students are falling behind significantly in reading and mathematics.
Citing data from a 2019 study, Unicef Education chief Akihiro Fushimi said that 90 percent of Filipino children in Grade 5 cannot read at their expected level, while 83 percent continue to struggle with basic mathematics.
As the findings predate the COVID-19 pandemic, he said that the problem has worsened due to prolonged school closures and limited access to alternative learning, particularly among disadvantaged communities.
Unicef estimates show that by Grade 4, Filipino children typically demonstrate literacy and numeracy skills equivalent to only Grade 1 or 2, indicating a 2-year learning delay. In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the gap is reportedly worse.
Aside from pandemic-related disruptions, Fushimi said recurring natural disasters, aggravated by climate change, have further derailed student’s learning progress.
To address the crisis, Unicef is urging the government to invest in foundational learning, starting with early childhood education. “From as early as three to four years old, before they enter kindergarten, we have to invest in their health, nutrition, and education, and so on, to smoothly function into private education and basic education,” he said.
Ever since classes opened here in the Philippines, it seems that not a week passes by that we are not reminded of the learning crisis. Aside from international groups like Unicef pointing it out, Filipinos are aware by now that it is a big problem that must be addressed as soonest and as comprehensively as possible. Our education sector must be tired of this reminder, and hopefully, all stakeholders are doing what they can to resolve this crisis.*
