Senator Loren Legarda has called for a reduction in the administrative duties of teachers and school principals to allow them to focus on teaching and improving the quality of education.

According to RH Raymund Dadpaas, her statement comes amid alarming data showing that the number of “functionally illiterate” Filipinos has nearly doubled—from 14.5 million three decades ago to 24.8 million in 2024, as cited by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2).

A functionally illiterate person can read and write but cannot fully comprehend what they read.

“These have overwhelmed our teachers with administrative and reporting tasks, taking time and focus away from teaching,” Legarda said, stressing the need to prioritize foundational learning and capacity-building for educators.

The senator pointed out that teachers are burdened not only by paperwork but also by numerous non-teaching assignments.

The Department of Education (DepEd) is currently part of 261 interagency bodies that meet regularly, and laws have expanded teachers’ responsibilities beyond the classroom—requiring them to support programs in health, nutrition, culture, sports, and civic affairs.

“Indeed, education is central to all aspects of governance and national development, but we must give the department space for teaching,” Legarda added.

She urged the government to streamline teachers’ administrative workload and provide more opportunities for professional training to address declining literacy and improve foundational learning across the country.