THE DEPARTMENT of Education on Sunday clarified that it does not have any policy that allows the automatic promotion of students to the next grade level despite failing to master required learning competencies.

“Walang polisiya ang DepEd na nagsasabing ang mga bata ay automatically promoted. Wala po tayong polisiya na ganyan,” said DepEd Undersecretary for Learning Systems Strand Carmela Oracion in an interview over Super Radyo dzBB.

The clarification comes amid renewed debate on so-called “mass promotion” following the release of the National Education and Workforce Development Plan (NatPlan) 2026–2035. The plan called for an end to the practice and set an ambitious target of ensuring that all Filipino children can read by Grade 3.

Earlier, House Committee on Basic Education chairperson Rep. Roman Romulo cited findings of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), which described mass promotion as having evolved into a “systematic culture” within the country’s education system.

“Learners are knowingly allowed to move up to higher grade levels even without mastering the required competencies and despite clear signs of unpreparedness,” Romulo said.

In response, DepEd stressed that it is tackling the problem by improving the foundations of the education system, particularly the delivery of basic instruction.

“Unang-una po, pinabubuti pa natin ang ating mainstream education. Kasi po, siguro ang dahilan kung bakit hindi handa ang ating kabataan sa susunod na baitang ay dahil hindi maayos na nade-deliver ang ating mainstream education. Pero produkto ito ng maraming taon—dekada nga po,” Oracion explained.

The department is also relying on its Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program, which provides free remedial instruction in reading, mathematics, and science.

“Ang implementation ng ARAL Program natin ay talagang matindi. Lahat ng mga batang hindi handa batay sa beginning-of-school-year assessment ay sumasailalim sa remediation programs,” Oracion said.

To further address the reading gap, DepEd has allocated additional funds for the procurement of storybooks for learners in Grades 1 to 3, aiming to foster early reading habits.

“Sa Key Stage 1, o Grades 1 to 3, nagpadala ang DepEd ng budget sa mga divisions at paaralan para makabili ng storybooks bilang suporta sa kanilang mga aralin,” she added.

Romulo, for his part, emphasized that the country’s reading and comprehension crisis should not be pinned on students or teachers.

“Hindi kasalanan ng bata. Hindi rin kasalanan ng guro. Ang problema ay ang sistemang nagtutulak na ipasa na lamang ang mga mag-aaral,” he said during a news forum on Saturday.