The Department of Education (DepEd) has reported a significant improvement in reading abilities among early grade learners who joined its 2025 summer learning initiatives—thanks in part to meals served during the programs.
In a summary report, DepEd highlighted that food support played a critical role in boosting student attendance and engagement in the Bawat Bata Makababasa Program (BBMP) and the National Learning Camp (NLC). Learners were given snacks, hot meals, and small incentives to help them focus and show up consistently.
“Ang pagkain ay hindi lang insentibo, ito ay pundasyon ng pagkatuto. Kapag may lakas ang katawan, mas handa ang bata sa pagbabasa, pakikinig, at pag-unawa,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized in a GMA News Online report.
More than 70,000 learners took part in the five-week BBMP, which targets foundational reading skills. The program recorded an average attendance rate of 80.83%. Schools that combined feeding with rewards reported higher participation and better learner engagement.
Post-program results showed a 32.85% improvement in Grade 3 students reading at grade level in Filipino and a 26.04% jump in English. The number of struggling readers also dropped significantly.
Meanwhile, the NLC—focused on remedial and enrichment sessions in reading and math—reached over 1.13 million learners across 157 school divisions. DepEd said the feeding component helped stabilize attendance and kept learners ready to absorb lessons.
Food support came in various forms: in-school meals, take-home packs, and local government assistance. Some local officials even helped with logistics, while schools made feeding part of the daily routine. Private companies, foundations, and civic groups also pitched in by providing snacks, hygiene kits, and educational supplies.
DepEd said these efforts align with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s commitment to improve both education and child nutrition.
“Sa bawat batang natutong bumasa dahil busog ang tiyan at buo ang suporta, doon natin tunay na makikita ang saysay ng edukasyon, may malasakit at may pagkalinga,” Angara added.
While the initial gains are promising, DepEd stressed that continued support and further evaluation are essential to close the persistent learning gaps among young learners.
