MANILA — Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian has filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 429 calling for an inquiry into the Department of Education’s (DepEd) grade transmutation policy, citing concerns that it may be allowing students to move up to the next grade level without fully meeting learning standards.

The resolution seeks to examine the grading system outlined in DepEd Order No. 8, series of 2015, which provides a transmutation table for learners from Grades 1 to 12.

Under the policy, a student’s Initial Grade, derived from weighted scores across various assessment components, is converted into a higher Quarterly Grade through a transmutation formula. As an example, an Initial Grade of 60 is converted into a transmuted grade of 75.

A learner’s Final Grade is determined by averaging Quarterly Grades. Students who obtain a Final Grade of at least 75 are promoted to the next grade level.

According to Gatchalian, the system may result in students advancing despite having Initial Grades below the traditional passing mark because of the higher grade equivalents produced through transmutation.

“The practice could allow students to advance to the next grade without fully mastering key lessons,” Gatchalian said.

“Kung nais nating matuldukan ang krisis sa edukasyon, kailangang tiyakin nating nasusukat natin sa tamang paraan ang kakayahan ng ating mga mag-aaral,” he added.

The DepEd recently issued an updated grading policy through DepEd Order No. 015, series of 2026, which introduces an adjusted transmutation table for Grades 4 to 12, as well as Grades 2 and 3 that continue to implement the numerical grading system.

Under the revised policy, an initial grade ranging from 70 to 71.17 will correspond to a transmuted grade of 75 beginning School Year 2026-2027.

DepEd said the adjustment is intended to support the transition to a zero-based grading system by School Year 2027-2028, under which grades will be reported without transmutation.