Reading comprehension is one of the challenges that the Department of Education (DepEd) has been dealing with after the pandemic.

One of proofs of these challenges is the result of the English reading fluency of Grade 3 learners at Mayor Gerardo Gorriceta, Sr. Memorial Elementary School in Pavia, Iloilo.

Based on the latest Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment of the school done in the pre-test for School Year 2024-2025, reading fluency in English subject of Grade 3 pupils is at 82.50 percent, but reading comprehension is at 69.44 percent only.

To address the challenges, educators have developed an intervention dubbed “Pavia Literacy and Numeracy Task” and “Cabugaonon: A Reading Enthusiast” program.

Through the program, reading comprehension of children is seen to improve. However, the program needs funds.  

Another perennial challenge in the education sector is the lack of classrooms.

In Western Visayas, there is a need for 9,737 classrooms for a total of 1,736,432 learners in public schools. As of this writing, the actual number of classrooms are at 61,670 in the region, and that 95 are under construction. Despite government allocation for the construction of new classrooms, the lack is apparent.

Further, according to DepEd 6, there is a total of 85,513 teachers in Western Visayas and that vacant positions have already been filled completely.  

The agency is set to hire additional manpower the moment positions will be made available by DepEd Central Office.