INNOTECH Seminar Series on Education, Innovation and Technology | Seminar 3
The third installment of the INNOTECH Seminar Series on Education, Innovation, and Technology took place on July 31, 2025, at SEAMEO INNOTECH’s LB Soriano Hall in Quezon City, and was streamed live on Facebook. Continuing the series’ mission to connect research, policy, and practice, this session turned the spotlight on the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS)—a landmark national study led by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on how Filipinos learn, adapt, and thrive in an ever-changing society. With literacy as the foundation for inclusive growth and innovation, the seminar underscored how data can power education reforms and lifelong learning opportunities across the Philippines.
Guest speaker Usec. Claire Dennis S. Mapa, PhD, National Statistician and Civil Registrar General of the Philippine Statistics Authority, walked participants through key findings of the 2024 FLEMMS. He shared encouraging gains in basic literacy—now defined to include reading, writing, and computation—as well as functional literacy, which for the first time measures comprehension. At the same time, he pointed to urgent challenges: persistent gaps across regions, age groups, and provinces, and a noticeable divide in comprehension skills. Looking ahead, he highlighted groundbreaking additions to the survey, including digital literacy and ICT skills modules, which will soon reveal how Filipinos navigate information, collaboration, and problem-solving in a digital world. His presentation reminded participants that behind every statistic lies an opportunity to design smarter policies, empower communities, and ensure that no learner is left behind.
