Teachers' Group Calls for Systemic Reform Amidst Philippine Literacy Crisis

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In response to the ongoing functional literacy crisis in the Philippines, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) has identified systemic issues, rather than teacher performance, as the primary obstacles to educational improvement. Following the release of the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), which highlighted the struggles of over 18 million junior high school graduates with comprehension, TDC issued a clarion call for reform.

 

Rejecting Blame

 

TDC firmly rejects narratives that place blame on teachers, arguing that focusing on retraining them is both unjust and overlooks the root causes of the crisis. "This crisis is not the fault of our teachers," TDC insists, pointing to chronic underfunding, misguided policies, and socio-economic inequalities that overburden educators already stretched thin by insufficient support and compensation.

 

A Bigger Issue

 

The group emphasises that the literacy issue transcends education—it is a social justice issue intertwined with poverty and inadequate resources. Many students face daily struggles such as hunger and travelling long distances to overcrowded schools, exacerbating their educational challenges.

 

Budget Concerns

 

TDC has also criticised the 2025 national education budget, highlighting that it fails to meet constitutional obligations to prioritise education. The group expressed discontent with the diversion of funds to non-educational projects, suggesting this misuse signifies a culture of impunity and corruption dogging the system.

 

Support for Teachers

 

Advocating for teachers as pivotal to reform, TDC highlights their low salaries, delayed benefits, and scarce developmental opportunities, which contribute to demoralisation among educators. Additionally, a congested curriculum and conflicting policies aggravate their workloads, making effective teaching even more challenging.

 

The Path Forward

 

TDC insists that the path to improved functional literacy lies in tackling hunger and poverty, supporting teachers, and rectifying systemic flaws within the education infrastructure and curriculum. "We cannot speak of improving literacy or learning outcomes without first addressing these root problems," the group asserts, urging comprehensive reform to secure the future of Filipino education.