MANILA, Philippines — The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has warned that it will take at least a decade of sustained reforms to address the deep-rooted education crisis in the Philippines, citing nearly three decades of accumulated problems in the sector.

EDCOM 2 Executive Director Karol Mark Yee made the statement in a radio interview on January 18, 2026, ahead of the submission of the commission’s third and final report to Congress. “Kailangan po sa lalim na problema inipon natin ng halos tatlong dekada, we need at least 10 years. It is a decade of necessary reform,” Yee said.

The commission, created to review and recommend systemic reforms in Philippine education, has been conducting a multi-year study of the country’s learning crisis. Its earlier reports highlighted critical issues such as poor student performance in international assessments, inadequate teacher training, weak governance structures, and inequities in access to quality education. 

The Year Two Report, titled “Fixing the Foundations,” underscored the urgent need to overhaul basic education and strengthen higher education quality control.

EDCOM 2’s final report, to be submitted on January 19, 2026, will include a comprehensive national education plan designed to guide reforms over the next decade. The plan is expected to align efforts of the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in tackling learning losses, improving teacher competence, and ensuring accountability across institutions.

Yee emphasized that the education crisis cannot be solved overnight, noting that the problems span generations. He pointed to issues such as “graduate degrees for sale,” weak regulation of higher education programs, and the mismatch between graduate skills and labor market needs as examples of systemic failures that require long-term solutions.

The commission’s findings come at a time when the Philippines continues to rank among the lowest in global learning assessments, with Filipino students struggling in reading, math, and science. Experts have warned that without decisive reforms, the country risks further setbacks in human capital development, which could undermine economic growth and competitiveness.

EDCOM 2’s call for a decade-long reform agenda has been welcomed by education advocates, who argue that piecemeal solutions will not be enough to reverse decades of decline. The national education plan is expected to serve as a roadmap for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders to work together in rebuilding the foundations of the Philippine education system.

Long View or Long Excuse

EDCOM’s warning sounds honest. Three decades of neglect cannot be fixed in a year, and a ten-year reform plan admits the depth of damage. Naming the problem matters.

But long timelines can also soften urgency. When reform stretches across administrations, accountability blurs and pressure fades. Students struggling today cannot wait for plans to mature. Teachers need fixes now, not just roadmaps.

The promise of patience must not become permission to delay. Will this decade-long plan drive immediate change, or become another excuse to move slowly while learners fall further behind again and again today nationwide?