PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Sonny Angara led a national thanksgiving event honoring educators, learners, families, and community partners whose efforts drove the Philippines to historic gains in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
Held at President Corazon “Cory” C. Aquino National High School, the gathering recognized representatives from 20 participating public and private schools in the National Capital Region.
The event celebrated a whole-of-nation movement that propelled the Philippines to become the world’s fastest-improving nation in Reading performance, while securing significant score increases across Reading, Science, and Mathematics compared to the 2022 assessment cycle.
The results also showed a higher percentage of students reaching baseline proficiency across all three domains.
“This achievement was brought about by years of consistent guidance, encouragement, and support from our teachers, families, schools, communities, and all our partners,” President Marcos said. “Today we are here to recognize the people and the institutions that helped make all these possible.”
Secretary Angara emphasized that the breakthrough belonged to grassroots communities, noting how local government officials, electric cooperatives, businesses, and civic organizations mobilized resources directly to classrooms.
Partners provided vital backup generators, internet access, and learning supplies, while educators went above and beyond to bridge resource gaps.
Public institutions honored included Amparo High School, Caloocan City Science High School, Tondo High School, Pitogo High School, and Taguig Science High School, among others.
Private institutions such as Divine Light Academy and Servite School, Inc., were also recognized alongside key private sector partners, including Khan Academy Philippines, One Meralco Foundation, and Rebisco.
Nationwide, a total of 8,702 learners from 208 schools participated in the 2025 assessment.
Angara affirmed that while these results mark a major turning point, the Department of Education will continue pushing systemic reforms under the Marcos administration to ensure quality education reaches every Filipino learner.