Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian has assured that the government is targeting to provide complete textbooks for every public school student in all subjects for School Year 2026-2027. Following the opening of classes, Gatchalian stated that the 2026 national budget includes the necessary funds to achieve a one textbook per student ratio, or a 1:1 textbook ratio.
Increased Budget for Learning Materials
According to the senator, the government has allocated P19.5 billion this year for the purchase of textbooks and other instructional materials. This is a significant increase compared to the average annual allocation of P5.475 billion for the same purpose from 2021 to 2025.
Addressing Classroom and Material Shortages
Gatchalian emphasized the importance of addressing not only the shortage of classrooms but also the lack of teaching materials, which directly affects student learning. He said that having their own textbooks is a primary need for students, and the government must ensure that they do not lack these resources.
Gatchalian also noted that data supports the importance of having sufficient learning materials. Based on the results of the 2024 Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM), students without their own textbooks or who only share with others scored an average of five points lower in reading tests compared to those with their own copies.
The study also revealed that only 52% of Grade 5 students have their own textbooks, while 42% need to share a book with another student. Gatchalian expressed hope that with a larger budget for textbooks and instructional materials, students' access to essential learning tools will improve, helping to raise the quality of education in the country.
