Manila: Senator Loren Legarda on Tuesday emphasized the necessity of reinforcing education from Kindergarten to Grade 3, asserting that early intervention is crucial in addressing educational deficiencies.

According to Philippines News Agency, Legarda referenced findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), which revealed that nearly half of Filipino students are unable to read at an appropriate grade level by the end of Grade 3. She also highlighted studies from UNICEF and the World Bank showing that 91 percent of Filipino children of late primary age struggle to read and comprehend simple stories.

Legarda warned that initial reading issues could escalate into a broader learning crisis, stating, "If we fail our children in the early years, we fail them for life. This is a crisis we cannot afford to ignore." Despite the existing Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) framework under Republic Act No. 12199, she noted a significant gap persists in the Kindergarten to Grade 3 years.

She advocated for proposed reforms that prioritize early intervention, focusing on establishing strong foundations to minimize the need for later remediation. The proposed measures aim to integrate language and numeracy instruction with socio-emotional learning and values formation.

Legarda underscored that foundational learning involves more than basic literacy and numeracy, emphasizing the importance of nurturing skills, habits, and values that shape a child's future. She stressed the wider implications of early-grade reforms on the educational system, indicating that resolving learning issues early on could reduce congestion in later grades, leading to fewer repeaters and dropouts, and more efficient use of educational resources.

"Education is the nation's most powerful equalizer. When we give every Filipino child the tools to read, count, and care, we give them the power to dream, to achieve, and to contribute meaningfully to our country's future," Legarda concluded.