EDCOM 2 - The Second Congressional Commission on Education

Co-Chairperson Rep. Jude Avorque Acidre, during the Bicameral Conference Committee on UAQTEA Amendments:

"𝘐 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘨𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴: 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴"

TINGNAN: Isinagawa ang Bicameral Conference Committee ng panukala para i-amend ang RA 10931 (UAQTEA) ngayong Lunes. Kasama ng Commissioners mula sa House of Representatives of the Philippines at Senate of the Philippines, at ang mga pangunahing authors ng bill, isinaayos ang disagreeing provisions nito para tuluyan nang maging enrolled bill.

Ilan sa mga features ng panukala ang automatic na pag-prioritize sa 4Ps students sa Tertiary Education Subsidy, pati na rin ang pag-expand nito sa private higher education.

Read more: https://edcom2.gov.ph/4ps-students-to-be-prioritized-private-school-learners-to-receive-support-under-strengthened-free-college-law/

Malapit nang maging batas ang amendments sa Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA / RA10931)! Sa ilalim ng bill na ito, prioritized ang mga students na galing sa 4Ps households sa Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES)! Pinapalawak rin ang access at targeting ng TES sa panukalang ito! ⚖️📜

Read more: https://edcom2.gov.ph/4ps-students-to-be-prioritized-private-school-learners-to-receive-support-under-strengthened-free-college-law/

LOOK: OVERCROWDING, BULLYING CAUSE ABSENTEEISM IN PHILIPPINE SCHOOLS

Overcrowding and a “troubling culture” of bullying are driving student absenteeism in schools, a study by the Second Congressional Commission on Education found.

Through a focus group discussion conducted on May 28 with junior high school students at President Corazon C. Aquino High School in Port Area, Manila, EDCOM II sought to assess student learning under its Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Summer Program.

The study revealed that bullying, alongside overcrowding, significantly affects students’ ability to learn and focus on their studies.

“The learners, composed of students from Grades 8 to 10, detailed a troubling culture of bullying and disruption during the regular school year when classrooms are overcrowded, contributing to a lack of sense of safety on school grounds,” EDCOM II said.

One student described their classes as: “Una, magulo. Makukulit. Maingay. Minsan may mga nambubully o nanununtok, nang-aagaw ng bag, nananago ng ballpen.” Students also reported being teased about their gender or subjected to severe mockery when making mistakes while reading aloud.

Some students said bullying can escalate into physical violence, prompting them to skip classes out of fear.

“Naranasan na po ang mapagtulungan sa loob ng classroom. Pinagsasapak po ako,” one student said, adding that he missed school for days due to fear. “Hindi ako nakapasok ng tatlong araw… yung dahilan na yung aabangan ako,” another student shared.

Another student said, “Wala po [safety] talaga dito sa school, at mas malala pa ’pag lumabas na [ng school].”

EDCOM II noted that students are often reluctant to report incidents, as intervention by teachers or school officials can sometimes lead to retaliation.

“Kahit pinapagalitan ni teacher hindi tumatalab… mas lalong nagagalit yung classmate. Tsaka pong mas lalo lumalaki [ang gulo],” one student explained.

Beyond classroom dynamics, students also raised concerns about overcrowded facilities, poor ventilation, and uncomfortable learning environments that make it difficult to concentrate.

Students cited extreme heat during afternoon classes, leading to discomfort, fatigue, and reduced focus.

“The extreme heat during peak afternoon hours contributes heavily to discomfort, fatigue, and reduced focus, prompting many learners to place electric fans or air conditioning at the top of their wish list for school improvements,” EDCOM II said.

“Compounding these environmental challenges, some classes are forced to start as early as 5:30 a.m. due to congestion, further highlighting the strain on both resources and schedules,” it added.

In light of these findings, EDCOM II Executive Director Karol Mark Yee said the ARAL Program must be refined to better address students’ needs.

“This tells us that as we continue refining the ARAL Program, we must bear in mind not only instilling academic rigor, but also supporting our students so they feel safe—psychologically and physically—in school,” Yee said.

Source: The Situation Report

"The experience of the students in Baseco, Tondo, teaches us that our students are struggling not simply due to academic challenges, but because of various factors, including bullying" - EDCOM 2 Executive Director Dr. Karol Mark Yee

Read more: https://edcom2.gov.ph/small-class-sizes-drive-aral-program-success-despite-bullying-infrastructure-issues/

A majority of senior high school students are not meeting grade-level reading standards, according to new education assessment data, as officials warn that persistent literacy gaps are undermining the country’s basic education system.

Read more: https://tribune.net.ph/2026/05/28/most-shs-students-below-reading-level-as-literacy-crisis-deepens-edcom-ii

Most SHS students below reading level as literacy crisis deepens — EDCOM II A majority of senior high school students are not meeting grade-level reading standards, according to new education assessment data, as officials warn that pers

Overcrowded classrooms and bullying drive absenteeism and lower engagement, while smaller class sizes are linked to better participation and safer learning environments, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) said on Sunday, citing its findings from a discussion with students.

Read more: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2237477/smaller-classrooms-more-learning-says-edcom-2

Smaller classrooms, more learning, says Edcom 2 LITTLE ROOM TO INNOVATE In another sobering observation about the country’s education system, the Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom 2) says efforts to decentralize and find more

📚 How can Southeast Asia strengthen learning foundations while preparing learners for the future?

Join the Regional Forum on Education and Learning: Education for Development? Conversations on the EDCOM 2 Reports, organized by SEAMEO INNOTECH in partnership with the University of the Philippines Center for Education and Development (UP CEDEV).

The forum will bring together leading education experts and thought leaders to explore key issues, emerging trends, and pathways for building more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready education systems across the region.

📅 02 June 2026
🕐 2:00 PM – 4:10 PM (GMT+8)
📍 Soriano Hall, SEAMEO INNOTECH, Diliman, Quezon City

This event is free and open to educators, researchers, policymakers, students, and development practitioners.

Register now through the QR code provided.