Iloilo: Iloilo province is gaining ground in addressing literacy and numeracy performance, according to the Department of Education Schools Division of Iloilo. During the Provincial Education Summit (PES) on Friday, Iloilo Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Ernesto Servillon Jr. revealed that over 450 of the 1,172 schools in the province have achieved zero non-readers.

According to Philippines News Agency, the enhanced 'Tib-ong Bumulutho' (Advancing Learners) program has been pivotal in this development. The program includes interventions such as reading and numeracy remediation activities, the hiring of remedial teachers, capacity building, and the implementation of contextualized district and municipal initiatives on reading and numeracy.

Dr. Servillon shared that there has been a significant increase in the performance of learners in Key Stage 1, which includes Kindergarten to Grade 3. Previously, 26.42 percent of these learners were at a frustration level, but this has now decreased to 7.71 percent, indicating that as of April 2024, 92.29 percent of learners are grade-level ready.

For Key Stage 2, covering Grades 4 to 6, 82.06 percent of learners are now above or at grade level. Dr. Servillon emphasized the need for additional targeted strategies for intermediate grades as the focus shifts from beginner to developmental reading in Key Stage 2 and 3.

The results also show that for Key Stage 3, which includes Grades 7 to 10, 76.02 percent of learners are at the instructional or independent level, capable of reading, writing, and comprehending effectively.

In numeracy, there has been an 8.42 percent overall decrease in non-numerates, with a notable 29.21 percent reduction among non-numerates in Grade 7. Grades 5 and 6 saw reductions of 2.77 percent and 1.68 percent, respectively. Moreover, 90 percent of Grades 1 to 6 met the numeracy benchmarks.

Education Undersecretary Peter Irving Corvera praised Iloilo as a model and a laboratory of education, acknowledging the efforts of the provincial government under Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. in organizing the summit. He expressed hope that other provinces would adopt similar initiatives to enhance educational outcomes.

Undersecretary Corvera further remarked on the summit's theme, "Effective, Relevant, and Transformative Education in Iloilo," highlighting that Iloilo has demonstrated these qualities effectively. He commended the collaborative efforts of local government, schools, and communities in achieving these improvements in education.