By Danny Estacio
CITY OF STO. TOMAS, Batangas, Philippines – The City School Division Office (SDO) of the Department of Education got the lowest percentage of struggling readers, which brought local learning to the top on a national level, said here on Monday, March 30.
This was the result of the recently concluded Comprehensive Rapid Literacy Assessment (CRLA) conducted at the beginning of SY 2025-2026, where the City of Sto. Tomas Schools Division posted the lowest percentage of struggling readers at 23.43%, leading the country in literacy, as announced by City Mayor Arth Jhun Aguilar Marasigan
Marasigan said that it is the outcome of the power of the partnership among the local government, educators, and stakeholders to exemplify reading habits to young learners.
Marasigan added that collaborative efforts between the local government units and the education sector had been manifested as the city was recognized by the Department of Education’s Second Commission on Education with the lowest number of struggling readers.
The fresh achievement highlights the many sacrifices of our teachers who give extra time to bring meaningful change to students’ learning behavior, said Marasigan.
The recognition has proven the important role of each sector of society in shaping the education system in the country, he added.
Marasigan said that the city has institutionalized ties with the city’s SDO through the local school board, expanding the membership and strengthening its core to take urgent action to address the learning crisis.
LGU, in partnership with SDO has scaled up health and nutrition for our young learners by implementing feeding programs and executing the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program, which enables learners struggling in reading, mathematics, and science to attain essential learning competencies.
Marasigan administration’s securing proper education for young citizens has been one of his many priorities, ensuring that no one is denied equitable access to learning opportunities and formulating policies that would guarantee quality education for young Tomasinos.
Dr. Neil Angeles, head of the City School Division Office, is thankful to the local government for providing essential materials most helpful in bringing back the love of reading for school children.
Angeles added that aside from mentorship and guided reading sessions, easily accessible reference and reading materials, and available digital learning tools provided by the city government are crucial in meeting the ideal educational outcome.
Parents’ active involvement in making home reading a habit for their children helps accelerate literacy development, and family support indeed makes a difference, said Angeles.
Marasigan expressed gratitude to the effort of the City School Division Office for bringing local learning to the top of the educational arena on a national level.
