Philippines Lowest in Reading Comprehension Among 79 Countries

Overview

• Event: The Philippines scored the lowest in reading comprehension among 79 countries in the 2018 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
• Source: Results released on December 3, 2019.

PISA Study

• Conducted By: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
• Purpose: Examines students' knowledge in reading, mathematics, and science.
• Main Subject Assessed (2018): Reading among 15-year old students.

Philippines' Performance

• Reading Score: 340
  • Comparison:
    • Over 200 points below China (555).
    • Over 100 points below the OECD average (487).
• Mathematics Score: 353 (second-lowest, along with Panama).
• Science Score: 357 (second-lowest).
• Other Rankings:
  • Only the Dominican Republic scored lower in mathematics and science.

Importance of Reading Proficiency

• Reading proficiency is crucial for various activities like following instructions, event comprehension, and communication.

Socio-Economic Factors

• Socio-Economic Impact: Accounts for 18% of the variance in reading performance in the Philippines (OECD average is 12%).
• Class Sizes: Largest average class sizes and highest student-to-teacher ratio, especially in disadvantaged schools.

Additional Challenges

• Bullying: Highest percentage of students reporting being bullied at least a few times a month.

Remarks from Education Secretary

• Leonor Briones: Noted the low expectations based on National Achievement Test results showing low proficiency in Science, Math, and English.

Implications

• Learning Outcomes: PISA results indicate the quality and equity of learning outcomes globally, providing insights for educators and policymakers.