Several provinces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have been identified as among the top 10 areas with the highest percentage of struggling readers.

Based on results from the Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment conducted at the start of school year 2025-2026 by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), Tawi-Tawi had the highest percentage of struggling readers at 75.60 percent.

Tawi-Tawi is followed by Maguindanao del Norte at 65.38 percent and the Special Geographic Area (SGA) of North Cotabato at 64.49 percent.

Maguindanao del Sur ranked seventh (58.46%), followed by Lamitan City in Basilan at eight (57.77%), and Basilan Province at ninth (57.59%).

Other areas in Mindanao included in the top 10 were Zamboanga City in fourth place (60.72%), Sulu in fifth (59.63%), and Davao Occidental in 10th spot (57.17%).

EDCOM 2 defined struggling readers as children who are “emerging readers” at two levels: low emerging – children who are still learning the alphabet and have low phonological awareness – and high emerging – children who memorize letters but still struggle with reading fluency.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education of BARMM and the Department of Education (DepEd), as of this writing.