EDCOM2: SONA 2026 Lacked Concrete Plans for Learning Crisis, Child Stunting

While welcoming President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.‘s continued prioritization of education in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA), the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM2) said Tuesday it was looking for more concrete plans to address the country’s learning crisis and rising child stunting. “We are glad that the President reiterated that education remains his top priority… We also welcome the expanded career progression for teachers and the emphasis on technical-vocational education and skills development,” EDCOM2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee said in an interview with Balitanghali. However, Yee said the President’s speech did not sufficiently address the country’s literacy challenges. “We were looking forward to hearing more of the President’s directions when it comes to illiteracy because we are still in a learning crisis,” he said. According to Yee, 88% of Grade 11 students assessed by the Department of Education in February were struggling readers and could not yet read at their expected grade level. “So what is our plan? What is our direction? What is the urgency in addressing this and helping our students? That is where we are still looking for answers,” he said. Yee also pointed to child nutrition, saying the expansion of the School-Based Feeding Program is welcome but stressed that the country’s rising stunting rate among young children requires greater attention. “The root cause is stunting during the first 1,000 days—from birth to two years old—and that is where attention remains lacking,” he said. He noted that the country’s stunting rate had risen to 25%, saying damage to children’s cognitive development caused by stunting is irreversible. Additionally, Yee expressed that reforms aimed at reducing teachers’ administrative workload have begun but have yet to fully ease the burden on educators. He said the deployment of one administrative officer per school and the reduction of school forms from 174 to 75 are welcome developments. “To be fair, the administration has already done a lot… Every school now has one administrative officer to help teachers and principals,” he noted. “But that’s only one per school. That’s still far from enough, especially for large schools with many students and paperwork.” He added that teachers continue to report difficulties focusing on instruction because paperwork remains excessive. Child stunting Meanwhile, EDCOM further stressed that the Department of Health (DOH) and other government agencies still need to resolve implementation issues under the law addressing child stunting. Yee said questions remain over procurement, funding, and identifying beneficiaries despite months of discussions among agencies. “There is still confusion. Who will buy? Who will pay? Who will procure? Who will distribute assistance to children and parents?” he said. He said the DOH, as chair of the National Nutrition Council, should take the lead in addressing these implementation gaps. — RSJ, GMA News