The Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) continues to make a significant impact, with its data and insights increasingly recognized by the Ministry of Education in the Philippines. The latest findings from SEA-PLM have been acknowledged as a crucial resource for shaping education policies, providing regionally comparable benchmarks that help guide national interventions. In the Philippines, the program's evidence-based approach has been instrumental in sporting ongoing reform aimed at addressing learning gaps and improving foundational learning outcomes.
The EDCOM II reports pressing challenges in the Philippine education system, particularly in the early grades. Learning gaps have persisted with many students in “Grade 3 performing one to two years behind the expected curriculum standards. This means that by the time they reach Grade 4, they are still struggling with concepts that should have been mastered in earlier grades”. SEA-PLM 2019 policy recommendations emphasize the need to guarantee a solid start in primary education through learning progression for all children, especially the disadvantaged. Data further reveal that poor early childhood care and nutrition are key factors affecting student performance, with malnutrition and stunting limiting cognitive development and learning potential.
Unpacking the structural roots of educational challenges, The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) released its Year 2 report calling for realignment of educational priorities toward the foundational stages of learning. Titled, “Fixing the Foundation: A Matter of National Survival”, the report sheds light on the policy gaps that hinder educational progress in the Philippines. Consolidating data and information on the quality of foundational learning outcomes, SEA-PLM serves as a useful resource that provides critical evidence for policymakers and educators in the country.
SEA-PLM also reveals compelling findings on resources, showinghat many students learn in overcrowded classrooms or inadequate facilities. Equity issues were also explored where SEA-PLM 2019 revealed that the case of bullying is prevalent in the country, underscoring the need for a positive learning environment to support children’s well-being and safety in schools.
To gain a deeper understanding of the finding and recommendations from EDCOM II, you can download the full report here
https://edcom2.gov.ph/media/2025/01/EDCOM-2-Year-2-Report-Fixing-the-Foundations-2025.pdf
SEA-PLM stands ready to work with the Philippine Department of Education and other Ministries of Education in the region to improve foundational learning outcomes and enhance the basic education quality and equity for all children in Southeast Asia.
