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This Saturday (August 8), Alden Richards embarks on a journey across the country to uncover the stories behind the worsening learning crisis in the Philippines in "Rebuilding Broken Rooms: A GMA Public Affairs Education Special."

Despite repeated promises of educational progress in the Philippines, the reality faced by millions of young learners remains deeply concerning. According to the World Bank (2022), 91 percent of 10-year-old children in the country struggle to read and comprehend. As students advance through school, their proficiency continues to decline, raising urgent questions about the country's worsening learning crisis.

The documentary holds deep personal significance for Alden, whose own experience of leaving school at a young age to help provide for his family inspired his lifelong commitment to education. Today, he continues to use his platform to create opportunities for Filipino youth, having already supported nearly 50 scholars and helped build schools in underserved communities.

For Alden, the documentary is more than a television special—it's a call to action. "Gusto kong magamit 'yung boses na meron ako para maipalaganap 'yung mensahe na kailangan marinig ng sambayanan. Gusto ko maging part nung advocacy para mamulat natin 'yung mga tao sa kung ano ba talaga 'yung sitwasyon ngayon," he shared.

The documentary opens at Tinungkaan Elementary School in Alabel, Sarangani—a school identified by EDCOM II as having the highest percentage of struggling readers in the country, where all students are classified as low-emerging readers. Despite crossing rivers and climbing mountains each day with Teacher Gerwin to reach their makeshift classrooms, the students remain determined to learn.

In Tondo, Manila, Rosauro Almario Elementary School records the highest percentage of low-emerging readers in Metro Manila, with seven out of every 10 students struggling to read and comprehend. Among them is Grade 2 student Jannah Will, who still cannot read a complete sentence. Some days, she misses school because her family cannot afford transportation. Although another school is located nearby, it has remained closed after being destroyed by fire two years ago.

The shortage of classrooms has also forced schools to improvise learning spaces. At Ciudad Nuevo Elementary School in Naic, Cavite, they were forced to build makeshift classrooms due to the lack of space. Meanwhile, Calubcob Elementary School has converted vacant housing units within a residential project into temporary classrooms, where students endure extreme heat, noise, and unsuitable learning environments.

Throughout the documentary, Alden witnesses not only the challenges faced by students and teachers, but also something that deeply moved him: many children have already accepted these inadequate conditions as normal.

"Paano natin naiparanas sa kanila na okay na 'to? Hindi siya okay," Alden asserts. "Hindi natin dapat ipa-realize sa mga kabataan na ito 'yung normal na way to be educated. Kasi hindi 'to deserve ng mga batang gustong matuto."

From remote mountain communities to densely populated urban neighborhoods, "Rebuilding Broken Rooms" seeks answers to the country's growing education crisis while highlighting the determination of children fighting for their right to learn and educators who refuse to give up despite limited resources.

Join Alden Richards in "Rebuilding Broken Rooms: A GMA Public Affairs Education Special," airing this August 8, 9:30 PM on GMA.

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