By Pierre VARLY with the help of AI (Gemini)
On December 3, 2024, the spotlight was on Manila. In a testament to the country’s deep commitment to educational transparency and regional collaboration, the Philippines hosted the official launch of the SEA-PLM 2024 Main Regional Report. The event highlighted not only the data but the active, leadership role the Philippines continues to play within the SEAMEO network to advance foundational learning metrics.
For our readers at meridie who have followed our ongoing coverage of the archipelago’s educational landscape, this new report offers critical insights into how Filipino Grade 5 students are performing in reading and mathematics compared to 2019.
Key Findings: Stability in Reading, Gains in Mathematics
The 2024 data reveals a story of resilience amidst the “polycrisis” of the post-pandemic era.
- Mathematics: There is good news in numeracy. The Philippines showed a statistically significant improvement in mathematics scores (from 288 in 2019 to 293 in 2024). Notably, the percentage of students achieving the highest proficiency levels (Band 6 and above) jumped from 17% to 26%.
Source : SEAPLM regional report 2024
Source : SEAPLM regional report 2024
- Reading: Performance in reading remained stable compared to 2019, with no significant change in the average score. However, there is a widening disparity: while more students reached higher proficiency bands (14%, up from 10%), the portion of students struggling at the lowest levels (Band 2 and below) remains stagnant at 27%.
Source : SEAPLM regional report 2024
COVID closure
The Philippines was the contry with the highest school closure due to COVID, more than 70 weeks.
The Equity Challenge: Widening Gaps
While national averages show stability or improvement, the data uncovers deepening inequalities that policymakers must address. The SEA-PLM 2024 report confirms that Socioeconomic Status (SES) remains the strongest predictor of achievement. Worryingly, the performance gap between students from the highest and lowest SES households has widened since 2019 in reading.
- Public vs. Private: The divide is stark. Students in private schools consistently outperform their peers in public schools, and this gap has grown significantly over the last five years.
- Gender: Girls continue to outperform boys significantly in both reading and mathematics.
- Language of Instruction: The Philippines faces a unique challenge regarding the language of the test (English). Only 10% of Grade 5 students reported speaking English at home. The data shows a clear advantage for these students: those who speak the language of instruction at home scored significantly higher than those who do not.
School Environment and Resources
The report highlights urgent resource constraints. In a concerning shift, the availability of textbooks dropped dramatically; in 2024, only 52% of students had access to one-to-one reading textbooks, essentially halving the availability reported in 2019. This is critical, as the Philippines is one of the few countries where textbook availability is statistically linked to higher test scores.
Furthermore, school heads reported high frequencies of student-level issues, including truancy and bullying, which impact the learning environment.
Looking Ahead: The MATATAG Curriculum
Despite these challenges, the Philippines is not standing still. The report acknowledges the Department of Education’s reforms, specifically the launch of the MATATAG curriculum in 2024, which shifts focus from a congested curriculum to foundational competencies. Additionally, the institutionalization of remedial programs through Republic Act No. 12028 and the establishment of a Center for AI Research show a proactive approach to learning recovery.
The SEA-PLM 2024 report serves as a diagnostic tool. For the Philippines, the message is clear: while the top performers are improving, urgent, targeted intervention is needed to ensure the most vulnerable students—those in public schools, from lower SES backgrounds, and boys—are not left behind.
