The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday called on families to boost support for learners, stressing that education goes beyond classroom learning.
This comes after findings from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025 showed a drop in parental or guardian engagement with learners in school-related discussions or problems.
In a statement, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara stressed the importance of parental involvement in boosting learners’ performance and engagement in schools.
“Kailangan nating isama ang mga pamilya. Malaking bahagi ng kanyang pagkatuto ang simpleng pakikipag-usap sa isang bata tungkol sa kanyang araw sa paaralan, pakikinig sa kanyang mga problema, at paghikayat sa kanya na magpatuloy kapag nahihirapan (We need to involve our families. A simple conversation about how a child’s day in school went is a huge part of learning, listening to his or her problems, and encouraging perseverance despite difficulties),” he said.
According to the 2025 PISA, Filipino learners who said they are discussing what they did in school with their parents or guardians at least once a week dropped to 54 percent from 57 percent in 2022.
Those who said they are talking with parents and guardians about school problems at least on a weekly basis, also declined to 38 percent from 45 percent in 2022 PISA.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which administers PISA, noted that parent engagement is associated with better science performance and more positive attitudes toward learning.
“Even simple conversations, such as asking children what they did in school, can help support their learning,” it said, citing that the decline in parent engagement was also observed internationally.
Overall, the share of students who said their parents asked about their school day at least once a week fell to 71 percent in 2025 from 77 percent in 2022.
This drop was noted among boys and disadvantaged students, according to 2025 PISA.
The education chief, meanwhile, cited other positive learning attitudes that schools and families can build on.
These include learners’ perseverance through difficulties, willingness to finish studies, readiness to seek help from classmates and teachers, and curiosity.
“These are strengths that we must build on. Our learners are showing perseverance, curiosity and a willingness to seek help. With stronger support from families, teachers and communities, we can help them turn these positive attitudes into better learning outcomes,” Angara said. (PNA)
