PASIG City Rep. Roman Romulo stressed the need to give focus on functional literacy in basic education as he expressed support to the Department of Education’s draft curriculum for Grades 1 to 3.

He added that the curriculum must also include the teaching of Good Manners and Right Conduct.

“Ang lagi ko po sinasabi ay matalino ang batang Pilipino. Ang responsibilidad natin ay siguraduhin na matutunan ng bawat mag-aaral ay functional literacy – marunong magbasa, naintindihan ang binabasa, mathematics at GMRC,” he said.

Romulo also backed proposals to lessen Grades 1-3 subjects from seven to five.

“Noong nakaraan pang Kongreso, sinabi natin na hindi sapat na bawasan lang ang competencies. Ang kailangan ay bawasan ang subjects,” he said.

“With the draft curriculum for grades 1-3, we will be able to instill in our future generations good values, reading and comprehension skills and mathematical skills which are essential and basic skills in life,” he said.