THE SENATE Committee on Basic Education, chaired by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, reviewed a proposal to suspend the Department of Education’s regular academic program.

The review focused on the Eight-Week Literacy and Numeracy Program, with Gatchalian raising concerns about its impact on learning outcomes and financial implications.

Gatchalian questioned DepEd officials on the literacy rates of Grades 1 to 3 pupils. According to DepEd, of the 184,488 Grade 1 learners for the school year 2023-2024, 16% of the 61% assessed were non-readers. Among Grade 2 learners, 9% of the 61% could not read, while 8% of the 62% of Grade 3 learners assessed were non-readers.

“I want to focus on the basics because we know this issue stems from the pandemic. The World Bank reported that 19% of 15-year-olds cannot read,” Gatchalian said.

“Because of that, both the government and the Senate have developed various approaches to academic recovery,” he added.