A SUSTAINED 10-year reform program is needed to address the deep-seated problems hounding the Philippine education sector, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) said on Sunday.

EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee said the scale of the crisis—built up over nearly three decades—requires long-term and consistent reforms rather than short-term fixes.

“Kailangan po sa lalim na problema inipon natin ng halos tatlong dekada, we need at least 10 years. It is a decade of necessary reform,” Yee said in an interview over Super Radyo dzBB.

Yee made the statement as EDCOM 2 prepares to submit its third and final report on Monday, Jan. 19, which includes a proposed national education plan outlining key policy and budgetary interventions.

He said implementation of the commission’s recommendations will begin within the next two years through the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Among the recommendations are projections on the number of teachers and classrooms that must be added annually to address persistent shortages.

“Para sa bawat taon na nagkulang, alam natin kung ano ang balanse, alam natin kung kailan kailangan dagdagan pa ang pondo,” Yee said, noting that the data-driven approach will help determine the funding required each year.

“For the next two years, sisisiguraduhin ng EDCOM na hindi nagkulang sa implementation,” he added.

In a September 2025 report, EDCOM 2 said the country faces a nationwide shortage of around 165,000 classrooms, forcing some kindergarten pupils to attend classes before dawn or stay home due to lack of space.

Yee also cited frequent class suspensions—caused by holidays, severe weather, and extreme heat—as a major factor disrupting learning and worsening the country’s literacy problem.

“Nakita last year, sa isang taon halos isang buong quarter ubos. Talagang walang natitira,” he said, referring to the cumulative learning time lost by students.

“Dahil sa rami ng suspension nangyayari sa loob ng isang year, nakikita natin 30 to 50 days talagang suspended ang klase sa isang taon,” he added.

In December 2025, EDCOM 2 earlier reported that the Philippines is grappling with a serious foundational learning crisis, with about 85 percent of Grade 1 to 3 learners struggling to read.