EDCOM 2 to Unveil Comprehensive Year 2 Report on Philippine Education

The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) is gearing up to release its Year 2 Report on January 28, which will delve into 16 of the 28 priority areas identified for the Philippine education system. This follows an extensive review and analysis conducted by the commission, established under Republic Act 11899, to pinpoint areas needing improvement and to devise practical solutions for educational challenges. Throughout 2024, EDCOM 2 has engaged in nationwide research, consultations, and dialogues to thoroughly assess the barriers to quality education. The public’s keen interest in the commission’s work was sparked by the release of the Year One Report, ‘Miseducation: The Failed System of Philippine Education,’ in January 2024. Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee emphasized that the commission’s efforts over the first two years have been focused on diagnosing the complex issues within the educational system. The first year highlighted critical issues like low early childhood education participation and a decade-long shortage of textbooks, while the second year continued these studies and supported the passage of crucial legislation. The Year 2 Report aims to address foundational gaps in the education system and propose reforms to tackle longstanding issues affecting students and teachers. It also covers findings on child stunting, school bullying, alternative learning systems, teacher specialization mismatches, and classroom deficiencies. Dr. Yee hopes the report will spark meaningful discussions about the future of education, emphasizing the importance of early childhood care and development, nutrition in the first 1,000 days, and literacy in early grades. The report is a synthesis of 97 commissioned researches and findings from 45 consultations, school visits, and hearings. On the legislative side, EDCOM 2 has facilitated the filing of 37 priority bills, with five already becoming law, including acts on enterprise-based education, mental health in basic education, academic recovery, the prohibition of the ‘No Permit, No Exam’ policy, and the suspension of the Mother Tongue-based Multilingual Education policy. Additionally, 114 policy recommendations have been made to improve teacher welfare and student mental health. The report will be officially submitted to the House of Representatives on January 27 and to the Senate on January 28, and will be available for download at www.edcom2.gov.ph/#report on January 28.