PSA explains why past surveys show bloated literacy rates

MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers are pressing the Philippine Statistics Authority to change how it measures basic literacy, saying its exclusion of the ability to comprehend could paint a misleading picture of the country’s true literacy levels.

On Wednesday, October 16, Rep. Roman Romulo, the chairperson of the House basic education panel, questioned the PSA for using outdated definitions for basic and functional literacy, noting that its recent revisions remain misaligned with what the Department of Education uses.

PSA this year revised its criteria for basic and functional literacy, the first time it has done so since 1989.  

Definitions. Under the new definition, a person is considered have basic literacy if they can read, write and compute. The 1989 definition only requires one to be able to read and write.

Functional literacy — a step higher from basic literacy — requires one to be able to read, write, compute and comprehend. The old definition previously considered the ability to read, write and compute as enough to deem a person functionally literate.

The PSA changed its literacy measurements ahead of its conduct of the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey, a nationwide survey on the country's education and literacy status. Held every five years, the survey in 2019 yielded a result that surprised many: 94% of Filipinos aged five were deemed basic literate. 

During the hearing, both Romulo and Rep. France Castro quizzed the PSA over the value of collecting data that shows individuals can read and write but not understand what they are reading. 

Literacy vs comprehension. Bewildered by PSA's new definition, Romulo stressed that "[basic] literacy should always include comprehension."  

"What's the value of being able to read, write, compute but you cannot comprehend?" Romulo said.

DepEd Undersecretary Gina Gonong also disagreed with the PSA's definition of basic literacy, saying the department includes comprehension in its criteria.

Similarly, Castro also questioned the PSA's definition for functional literacy, which she said should include analytical skills.

"A person who can comprehend should also know how to analyze (in the definition