The Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) 2024 report reveals that 42% of grade 5 students in the Philippines share reading textbooks, indicating a significant decline in availability compared to 2019. Only 52% have their own textbook, while 7% lack access entirely. This lags behind other Southeast Asian countries like Myanmar and Vietnam, where 100% of students have their own copy.
The SEA-PLM 2024 report, managed by UNICEF and SEAMEO, shows that textbook availability for grade 5 students in the Philippines nearly halved. From 92% in 2019, it dropped to 52% having their own copy. Among sharers, 23% involve two students per book, and 19% three or more. Meanwhile, 7% have no access at all.
In comparison, all students in Myanmar and Vietnam have their own textbook; 99% in Malaysia; 96% in Cambodia; and 84% in Laos. While sharing does not significantly impact achievement scores in most countries, in the Philippines, students with personal textbooks score higher on average in both reading and mathematics.
Additionally, 27% of grade 5 students exhibit 'very low' reading proficiency, and 16% in math. To address this, the Department of Education (DepEd) states that Secretary Sonny Angara has cleared procurement hurdles. They acquired 105 titles in one year, surpassing the 27 titles from 2012 to 2023. Procurement volume increased by 289%, processing time reduced from 183 to 90 days, and delivery from 474 to 95 days. The DepEd is also rolling out the Computerization Program to enhance technology access.
