MANILA – Around 3.7 million learners are expected to complete basic education in School Year 2025–2026, making it one of the largest graduating batches under the K to 12 system, the Department of Education (DepEd) said.

DepEd estimates that roughly 1.9 million Grade 6 pupils and 1.8 million Grade 12 students from public and private schools will finish their respective levels this year. Of these, about 1.8 million Grade 6 and 1.1 million Grade 12 graduates come from public schools.

While the numbers reflect a significant transition into higher education or the workforce, experts warn that high graduation rates do not necessarily indicate mastery of essential skills. Findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) show that only about 15% of early-grade learners read at grade level, leaving 85% struggling, including in urban areas such as Metro Manila where some cities report over 40% of students lagging in reading proficiency.

The current batch of graduates was heavily affected by pandemic-related school closures, one of the longest worldwide, which caused learning loss and uneven access to educational resources. Even after the return to full face-to-face classes, schools face structural challenges, including overcrowded classrooms, shifting schedules, and high student mobility.

With nearly 1.8 million senior high school graduates, pressure is also mounting on higher education institutions, vocational training programs, and the labor market to absorb the incoming cohort. Education advocates have long stressed the need to better align basic education outcomes with workforce demands to ensure graduates are employable.

EDCOM II has acknowledged a “three-decade decline in quality” in Philippine education and called for comprehensive reforms to improve proficiency levels by the end of senior high school.

Meanwhile, the Economy and Development Council, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., approved DepEd’s proposed three-term school calendar starting in School Year 2026–2027. The move was opposed by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, which described it as a “rushed” reform that does not address the sector’s deeper problems.