NEARLY half of learners assessed in the Davao Region and Davao City are struggling with reading, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen literacy interventions, particularly in the early grades, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) reported.

Based on the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment conducted in June, 48 percent of assessed learners in Region XI and 45 percent in Davao City were classified as struggling readers at the beginning of School Year 2026–2027.

These include learners who have limited mastery of letters and their corresponding sounds or who struggle to decode words appropriate for their grade level.

The figures reflect a nationwide concern, with 45 percent of assessed learners across the country also classified as struggling readers.

EDCOM 2 data further showed that reading proficiency declines sharply as learners advance through the education system, dropping from 30.52 percent in Grade 3 to 19.56 percent in Grade 6, 0.74 percent in Grade 10, and 0.40 percent in Grade 12.

Meanwhile, end-of-school-year assessment results for School Year 2025–2026 revealed disparities in reading performance among learners in Grades 1 to 3 across provinces in the Davao Region.

Davao Occidental recorded the highest proportion of struggling readers at 18.5 percent, equivalent to 3,471 learners. It was followed by Davao del Norte at 14.8 percent, Davao Oriental at 13.4 percent, Davao de Oro at 10.1 percent, and Davao del Sur at 9.5 percent.

At the municipal level, Talaingod in Davao del Norte recorded the highest proportion of struggling readers, with 49.6 percent, or 1,184 learners, falling into the category.

EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee said the country’s learning crisis has worsened over the years, underscoring the need for immediate and sustained interventions, particularly for children in the early grades.

He warned that without timely reading support, learners risk advancing to higher grade levels without developing the foundational skills needed to understand their lessons.

The problem also extends to senior high school, where many students continue to struggle with reading comprehension.

Results of the pilot Senior High School Literacy and Numeracy Assessment conducted at the end of School Year 2025–2026 showed that 46 percent of assessed Grade 11 learners in Davao City were at the frustration level in reading. Meanwhile, 29 percent were at the instructional level and only 25 percent were classified as independent readers.

Across Region XI, 45 percent of assessed senior high school learners were at the frustration level, 34 percent were at the instructional level, and 21 percent were independent readers.

Davao Oriental recorded the highest proportion of senior high school learners at the frustration level among the province-level schools divisions, at 63 percent, or 4,200 students.

Yee stressed that persistent reading difficulties can undermine students’ ability to understand lessons across different subjects, including mathematics and science, making it more difficult for them to keep pace with academic requirements.

He called on local government units, universities, parents, and communities to work closely with DepEd in strengthening literacy programs and ensuring that struggling readers receive appropriate and timely assistance.

Yee emphasized that addressing reading gaps early is critical, warning that these difficulties become increasingly difficult to overcome when left unresolved as learners progress through school.