All learners across public schools are expected to receive complete textbooks for each subject this school year, as the government moves to establish a 1:1 textbook-to-learner ratio under the proposed 2026 national budget.
Senate President Pro Tempore Win Gatchalian said the measure is backed by sufficient funding, with ₱19.5 billion allocated for textbooks and other instructional materials, significantly higher than the ₱5.475 billion average annual allocation from 2021 to 2025.
“Maliban sa pagkakaroon ng sapat na mga silid-aralan, ang pagkakaroon ng kumpletong mga aklat ang isa rin sa mga dapat nating bigyan ng prayoridad para sa ating mga mag-aaral. Ang mga aklat ay pangunahing pangangailangan nila at tungkulin nating tiyakin na hindi na ito magkukulang,” Gatchalian said.
Data from the 2024 Southeast Asia Primary Learning Metrics (SEA-PLM) also showed that learners with their own textbooks tend to perform better in reading compared to those who share materials. The study further noted that while 52% of Grade 5 learners have one textbook each, 42% still share textbooks with at least one other student.
The initiative is expected to strengthen basic education delivery by reducing resource gaps in public schools and improving access to core learning materials.