MANILA — The World Bank has approved a USD 600-million program aimed at improving literacy, numeracy, and math outcomes in Philippine public primary and lower secondary schools.

The Project for Learning Upgrade Support and Decentralization (PLUS-D) will be implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd) and is expected to benefit 21 million K–10 learners and Alternative Learning System students, along with 777,000 teachers. The initiative will also support 59,000 school leaders and 300 DepEd personnel through capacity-building programs.

“For the Philippines, sustaining growth and creating more jobs will depend on strong human capital — a workforce with solid foundational skills in literacy and numeracy,” said Zafer Mustafaoğlu, World Bank Division Director for the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.

“This effort is about giving every Filipino child a fair start, ensuring they can build the skills that underpin lifelong learning and future success in the labor market.”

PLUS-D will provide nationwide support to help K–10 learners catch up and excel in literacy and numeracy. It will also strengthen DepEd’s learning recovery program and improve classroom assessments.

The project will enhance teaching and leadership through evidence-based training and coaching, expand access to inclusive learning materials for students with disabilities and Indigenous Peoples, and advance DepEd’s digitalization and decentralization initiatives.

The funding will provide grants and tailored support to 10 DepEd regional offices and more than 11,100 schools, aligned with DepEd’s 5-Point Reform agenda to improve elementary and lower secondary education under decentralized systems.

“PLUS-D is about combating learning poverty nationwide by equipping teachers with evidence-based support, promoting school autonomy and accountability, and helping Filipino learners become independent, confident readers. We have seen this work in countries around the world, and the Philippines will be no exception. Help is on the way,” said Janssen Edelweiss Teixeira, World Bank Senior Education Specialist and Project Leader.