DepEd chief vows to address issue of mass promotion

February 4, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara yesterday vowed to address the practice of mass promotion, after the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) called for its immediate end, citing concerns over teachers being pressured to pass unqualified learners to meet administrative performance targets.

“While we don’t have a policy on mass promotion, there are certain practices like if the teacher will also tutor the student who did not pass, the tendency, the human nature is he will pass the learner,” Angara said in an interview in Tagaytay City.

Citing the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment for school year 2024-2025, the report “Turning Point: A Decade of Necessary Reforms” revealed that 48.76 percent of learners are not reading at grade level by Grade 3.

While 30.5 percent of students are proficient at that level, mastery continues to decline as learners progress, falling to just 0.40 percent by Grade 12.

Angara said the department is reviewing the practice of grade transmutation, noting the need for a consistent grading policy across the education system, particularly since such adjustments are not applied in international assessments and college entrance examinations.

Key to reform

Angara also underscored yesterday the importance of collaboration between the Church and government in advancing education reform and promoting clean governance during the 42nd National Social Action General Assembly of Caritas Philippines in Tagaytay City.

In his speech, Angara highlighted the Department of Education (DepEd)’s partnership with Caritas Philippines’ nationwide network of 86 diocesan social action centers.

The partnership, he said, has helped extend the reach of key programs such as school-based feeding, learning recovery initiatives and the Alternative Learning System, particularly for out-of-school youth and other marginalized learners.

“We take our inspiration from all of you. Your stories and successes drive us towards meaningful reforms,” Angara said.

The secretary said DepEd is strengthening its partnerships with the Church and civil society groups to better reach learners affected by poverty, mobility and weak school retention, as part of a broader effort to place learners at the center of education reform.

As part of efforts to address learning gaps, the expanded school-based feeding program now covers all Kindergarten and Grade 1 learners nationwide, reflecting growing evidence linking nutrition and learning outcomes.

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