The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced it will review its grade transmutation rule after lawmakers flagged that the system has led to “mass promotion” of students despite poor academic performance. Education Secretary Sonny Angara clarified that while there is no official policy mandating mass promotion, the current grading system may have unintentionally encouraged it.

MANILA, Philippines — February 3, 2026 — DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the agency will revisit its transmutation system, which converts failing grades into passing marks, following concerns raised by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II). Lawmakers warned that the practice has resulted in students being promoted to higher grade levels without mastering essential skills.

Speaking to reporters, Angara explained that the department does not have a policy of automatically promoting students. “There is no existing policy on mass promoting students to the next grade level,” he said, attributing the high passing rates to “human nature” among teachers, who may also be tutoring struggling students. He added that the review will ensure that grading policies reflect actual learning outcomes and do not compromise educational standards.

The issue gained traction after EDCOM II reported that the transmutation system has negatively impacted the quality of education, with students advancing despite lacking proficiency in basic subjects. Critics argue that this undermines accountability and weakens the country’s competitiveness.

DepEd officials stressed that the review will involve consultations with educators, parents, and stakeholders to strike a balance between compassion for struggling learners and the need to uphold academic integrity. Angara emphasized that reforms will be guided by the principle of ensuring students are adequately prepared for the next grade level.

Education advocates welcomed the move, saying it is a step toward addressing declining learning outcomes in the Philippines, which have been highlighted in international assessments. They urged DepEd to implement stricter monitoring of student performance and provide targeted interventions for those at risk of failing.

The review of the grade transmutation rule is expected to be completed within the year, with possible adjustments to grading policies rolled out in the next academic cycle. For now, DepEd reiterated that while compassion is important, it must not come at the expense of quality education.

Compassion Without Standards Creates a Learning Crisis

Education systems need compassion, but compassion without standards can quietly produce failure on a larger scale. When grades are adjusted to ensure promotion, the classroom becomes a place where progression matters more than proficiency.

The transmutation system may have been designed to support struggling learners, yet it risks weakening accountability for real learning outcomes. Over time, this creates students who move forward in grade level but remain behind in literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking, leaving teachers and families trapped in a cycle of catching up.

If students are promoted without mastery, who is the system truly protecting: the learner, or the illusion of success?