The Department of Education (DepEd) reported on Friday a 鈥榮ubstantial鈥 literacy improvement among learners in Zamboanga Peninsula, following the pilot implementation of the Bawat Bata Makababasa Program (BBMP).
鈥淭he lesson here clearly shows that when you focus on a child, give them time, and provide the right support, they learn,鈥 Education Secretary Juan Edgardo 鈥淪onny鈥 M. Angara said in Filipino in a news release.
鈥淭his is not a miracle鈥攊t is the result of hard work carried out collectively by teachers and the community,鈥 he added.
The nationwide literacy crisis is one of the key factors that fueled the launch of the BBMP program. Data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) in December 2025 showed that only 15% of students in grades 1 to 3 are grade-level readers, while 85% are considered 鈥渟truggling readers.鈥
The BBMP program is an initiative that aims to help struggling readers reach grade-level proficiency through a multi-sectoral approach involving teachers, volunteer tutors, parents, barangay officials, medical professionals, and private sector partners.
The program was piloted in elementary schools across Region 9 as part of the agency鈥檚 2025 Summer Program and is soon to be rolled out nationwide under the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program.
鈥淲ithout the program, data showed that many learners would have experienced learning losses during school breaks instead of gains,鈥 the DepEd said.
The post-program report, which was a collaboration between the World Bank and DepEd, showed that learning gains under the BBMP were estimated to be four to five times faster than those typically achieved through regular classroom instruction over a comparable timeframe.
The report also underscored that among grade 2 students in Filipino, grade-level readers increased from 2.23% to 26.22%, about 24% increase after completion of the program.
Meanwhile, the reading proficiency levels of learners also rose from 1.28 to 2.40.
The DepEd noted that observations from the field, such as improved confidence and class participation among struggling readers, were aligned with the quantitative results of the report. 鈥淭eachers reported that struggling readers became more willing to read aloud and engage in class within days of targeted instruction.鈥
One of the field implementers, however, raised concerns about the impacts of parents on children鈥檚 literacy rates.
鈥淲e are gradually working to establish reading corners in the students鈥 homes by providing localized learning materials鈥o that students can continue practicing and engaging with the lessons outside school,鈥 the report said, citing the field implementer.
鈥淚ssues on parents鈥 literacy levels persist and affect learner engagement,鈥 it added. 鈥 Almira Louise S. Martinez
