Nearly half of Davao City Grade 11 students struggle to read on their own, EdCom 2 says

Almost half of Grade 11 senior high school students in Davao City cannot read and understand text without help, according to data from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EdCom 2), as reported by DZRH.

The figures come from EdCom 2's senior high school literacy and numeracy assessment for school year 2025-2026. Of the students assessed, 46 percent, or 15,914 learners, were placed at the 'frustration level.' Another 29 percent, or 10,097 students, were classified as 'instructional readers,' according to a report by Jhun Suter of Aksyon Radyo Davao.

Only 25 percent, equivalent to 8,453 students, showed reading and comprehension skills suited to their grade level, making them independent readers.

Davao City Schools Division Superintendent Reynante Solitario described the results as alarming. He noted that weak comprehension affects how students perform in mathematics, science and other subjects.

In response, the Department of Education (DepEd) said it will strengthen its Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program, along with school-based reading initiatives and other interventions for learners who need support.

DepEd also stressed that teachers, parents and schools must work together to address the gap in students' reading skills.