DepEd to review grade transmutation policy to end mass promotionMANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education will review its policies that inadvertently move students up a grade level despite their poor performance, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said Tuesday, February 3. Angara said DepEd will re-examine its grade transmutation matrix — where raw scores of 60 are converted to passing grades of 75 — and other practices that have the unintended effect of promoting unqualified students. Just about 30.5% of Grade 3 learners read at grade level, dropping sharply to 19.6% by Grade 6 and as low as 0.4% by Grade 12, according to DepEd data cited by the commission. "While there is no formal mass promotion policy, there are unintended policies that have that effect," Angara said. Angara said DepEd will evaluate its process of converting grades upward to ensure consistency across the education system.

Source: Philippine Star February 03, 2026 22:13 UTC