Philippines education reforms showing promise, says House Speaker

MANILA — House Speaker Faustino 'Bojie' G. Dy III said Thursday that the Philippines' stronger results in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment demonstrate that long-term education investments and structural reforms are beginning to deliver tangible improvements.

Dy pointed to the Department of Education's efforts under Secretary Juan Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara as central to the gains. The acknowledgment represents a significant milestone for a school system that has faced persistent challenges in standardized assessments and learning outcomes.

The Pisa examination, conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, serves as a key international benchmark for student achievement across reading, mathematics, and science. The Philippines has historically underperformed relative to regional peers, making recent improvements noteworthy for policymakers and educators.

The House Speaker's remarks reflect ongoing government focus on education as a priority area, with several reform initiatives introduced in recent years aimed at improving curriculum quality, teacher training, and classroom resources. Officials have indicated that continued commitment to these programs will be necessary to sustain momentum in student performance metrics.