Nearly half of Davao City Grade 11 students struggle with reading, EdCom 2 data show
Only one in four senior high students in the city's Grade 11 cohort reads independently at grade level, according to a literacy assessment for school year 2025-2026.
Forty-six percent of Grade 11 senior high school students in Davao City have difficulty reading and understanding text on their own, 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, 15,914, or 46 percent, fell under the 'frustration level.' Another 10,097 students, or 29 percent, were classified as 'instructional readers,' according to a report by Jhun Suter of Aksyon Radyo Davao.
Only 8,453 students, or 25 percent, showed reading and comprehension skills appropriate for their grade level and qualified as independent readers.
Davao City Schools Division Superintendent Reynante Solitario described the results as alarming. He noted that weak comprehension also affects how students learn 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 need to work together to address students' gaps in reading skills.
Why it matters for Davao
Most Grade 11 students in Davao City are not reading at grade level, which school officials say also holds back learning in math and science. DepEd is calling on parents to work with teachers and schools to close the gap.
This article was written by the DavaoNews desk with AI assistance, using reporting by dzrh. Facts come from the original report, which we credit and link below. Our editorial policy
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