Philippines to sustain education reforms after improved PISA scores

The Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) announced it will continue its basic education reforms following the country’s strongest performance in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) since 2018. According to the 2025 PISA results, the Philippines saw increases in reading, science, and mathematics scores compared to 2022 levels.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara attributed these gains to administration-led reforms, including a focus on foundational learning, remediation programs, and reduced teacher workloads. Angara emphasized that while these milestones are significant, they serve only as a baseline for further progress.

In response to data from the same report, DepEd is also urging families to increase engagement with their children. The PISA findings indicated a decline in students discussing school activities and problems with parents or guardians compared to 2022. Secretary Angara noted that active parental involvement and listening to students' difficulties are essential components of a child’s educational success.