The Philippines is in dire straits, and it's not about the economy or politics this time. Nope, it's about Filipino kids' ability to read and understand a dang sentence.
Imagine this: out of 80 countries, the Philippines ranks among the bottom 10 in reading comprehension in the 2022 PISA test. That's right, we're not talking about some obscure academic ranking; we're talking about the very foundation of education — reading.
The dismal performance underscores the urgent need for an overhaul of the education system, including improvements in teacher training, curriculum, and a shift in mindset towards valuing critical thinking and practical skills over rote memorization.