The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a survey that assesses the knowledge and skills acquired of 15-year old students throughout their education. According to the results of the 2022 PISA, the Philippines ranked sixth to the lowest out of the 81 participating countries in the reading comprehension category. The country’s poor performance highlights the serious need for a better learning framework that can close the large reading gap of the students. 

This petition aims to foster an educational environment inside and outside the school that promotes reading and literacy for students of all grade levels.

How will we achieve our goal?

1. Reading Sessions
   There should be an implemented one hour reading session in school schedules to enhance not only the reading comprehension of students, but to also widen their vocabulary which will improve their writing skills and academic performance.  
2. Book Reports
   Schools should add a book report activity in their curriculum wherein there will be an assigned book for each grade level that matches their reading level. Students should write a book report that contains vocabulary words and its meaning, an outline of the story using Freytag’s Pyramid, a summary of the story written in their own words, and their thoughts and opinions regarding the story. This activity will help the students put into practice the lessons they have learned in their English and Filipino subjects.
3. Book Fairs
   An annual book fair that is held in schools to celebrate literacy will be helpful to encourage the students’ to explore different genres of literature. The best kind of book fairs are the ones that have a diverse set of books apart from the ones available at the school library and the usual trending and popular ones. This event will broaden the students’ idea of literature and they will be able to enjoy reading a lot more.
4. Public Libraries
   To keep the students’ interest in reading even outside the school, there should be more free and accessible public libraries spread throughout different areas. Just like in book fairs, the library has a lot of books in different genres that can appeal to every kind of student. Whether it is fiction or nonfiction, the library has a lot of options to choose from. Borrowing books from the library also teaches students to be independent, responsible and careful with the books they borrow, and timeliness since they have to return the book on or before its due date.

Reading is a fundamental skill that everyone must possess. Unfortunately, this skill was not given enough importance and attention which resulted in our inability to keep up with other countries’ reading level. By addressing this problem, we will be capable of increasing our chances to be of equal footing with other countries’ reading level.

With your support and cooperation, the ideas mentioned above (Reading Sessions, Book Reports, Book Fairs, and Public Libraries) will be able to materialize and be put into action.