SENATE Committee on Basic Education Chairperson Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday expressed deep concern over recent findings that one in every five senior high school graduates in the country struggles to understand even a simple story.

During a Senate hearing, Gatchalian cited data showing that 18.9 million Filipinos—despite completing high school—are now excluded from the newly defined criteria of being “functionally literate.”

Assistant National Statistician Adrian Cerezo explained that, based on the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey, only 79 percent of senior high school graduates are considered functionally literate.

The remaining 21 percent, while technically high school graduates, cannot adequately read or comprehend written material.

The survey further revealed that 24.8 million Filipinos aged 10 and above struggle with understanding and processing information—a condition classified as functional illiteracy, meaning they can read and write but have difficulty comprehending what they read.

In addition, data from the previous year showed that 5.8 million Filipinos are considered basic illiterates—those who cannot read, write, or perform basic arithmetic.

In response, Gatchalian called on the education sector, particularly the Department of Education, to urgently address the problem.

He emphasized the need for proactive measures to ensure that no student completes basic education without the ability to read, write, and understand.

“It is unacceptable that students are able to graduate without acquiring these fundamental skills,” Gatchalian stressed.

“We must act now to prevent further educational decline,” he added.

The senator reiterated the importance of functional literacy as a foundation for learning, employment, and national development.