Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) has clarified that an ‘auto-pass’ policy is not being implemented in public schools, as confirmed on Wednesday. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted the necessity for reforms to tackle genuine learning deficiencies and to ensure literacy among learners in public schools.

According to Philippines News Agency, Angara stated, “Wala pong policy ang DepEd na automatic na pagpasa sa mga estudyante (There’s no policy in the DepEd to automatically pass the students).” He noted that while mass promotion is not officially documented, it has become an unspoken norm in certain areas, which the department aims to change.

The DepEd identified practices within the system, such as incentive structures, that contribute to the trend of mass promotion. Angara mentioned that some inherited system features may pressure schools and teachers into promoting students, a situation the department is committed to rectifying.

Angara also pointed out the use of more comprehensive indicators for performance-based evaluations. “When school-level success is measured mainly by how many students move up, and when teachers feel that their evaluations and promotions depend on that too, then we can’t be surprised if the system bends in that direction,” he explained. These indicators include Performance, Process, Financial, and Citizen or Client Satisfaction Results.

In response to these challenges, the DepEd is conducting a “comprehensive review” of the current assessment, remedial, and promotion policies. Angara emphasized that promotions should be based on genuine learning, which should be enabled by the educational system, not merely expected.

The review’s objective is to ensure that advancing learners to higher grade levels is supported by “clearer standards, more effective remediation programs, and fairer teacher evaluation mechanisms.”