Filipino students posted their best-ever performance in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), but lawmakers said the country still has major education gaps to address.

The Philippines improved its scores in all three core subjects in the 2025 PISA cycle, gaining 17 points in Science, 16 in Mathematics and 20 in Reading compared with 2022.

The country scored 373 in Science, 371 in Math and 367 in Reading. The scores were also higher than the Philippines’ 2018 results.

The improvement came as OECD average scores declined between 2022 and 2025, dropping by three points in Science, nine in Math and 14 in Reading.

Senator Bam Aquino, co-chair of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), welcomed the results but said more work remains.

“Ang resulta ng PISA ay magandang pangitain sa binubuo nating reporma para po sa edukasyon,” Aquino said.

The share of Filipino students reaching Level 2 or higher also increased. In Science, it rose from 23% to 32%; in Reading, from 24% to 31%; and in Math, from 16% to 21%.

Still, the Philippines remained well below the OECD average, with gaps of 109 points in Science, 94 in Reading and 92 in Math. Almost no Filipino students reached the highest proficiency levels.

EDCOM 2 also flagged continuing problems in schools. Nearly half of Filipino students were in schools where insufficient learning materials affected instruction, while 58% were in schools affected by inadequate physical infrastructure.

The shortage of teachers, however, declined from 43% to 19%.

“We can attribute this success to everyone who worked diligently towards meaningful reforms. This is the fruit of all the efforts we have made since the 18th Congress, and I hope that we will not stop here,” said Rep. Roman Romulo, EDCOM 2 co-chair.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the results should encourage the government to strengthen the reforms already started.

“Above all, the PISA results belong to our learners and their families. As we celebrate this achievement, let us continue to move forward,” Gatchalian said.

Aquino likewise called for the reforms under the 10-year National Educational Plan to continue, saying the results should provide more reason to address the remaining problems in the education system.

“Marami pa tayong kailangang gawin at solusyonan,” he said.IMT