Education and literacy hold a special place in shaping lives and communities. They are more than just instruments for academic success—they are powerful pathways to opportunity, understanding, and transformation.
Yet in the Philippines today, many still struggle with comprehension. Statistics show that while 93.1% of Filipinos aged 10 to 64 can read and write, only 70.8% are functionally literate—able to truly understand and apply what they read. This means 3 in 10 Filipinos can read words but struggle to comprehend them. Globally, the 2022 PISA assessment revealed that only 24% of Filipino 15-year-olds reached minimum reading proficiency, placing the country near the bottom in reading among 81 nations.
These numbers remind us that education is not just about being able to read; it’s about understanding. Without comprehension, opportunities remain limited, decisions become harder, and dreams may fade. In a way, it’s like being “asleep” to reality—and the challenge is for us to “wake up” before September ends, before another year passes without change.
The Bible tells us in Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” True wisdom comes from God, and education enables us to apply that wisdom meaningfully in life. Just as literacy allows us to interpret words, wisdom helps us to interpret life with faith and discernment.
Education has the power to break the cycle of poverty, improve family and business decision-making, and restore dignity and confidence. At LIGHT, we recognize this by supporting Iskolars, providing financial literacy training, and encouraging lifelong learning. We’ve seen our Iskolars graduate and support their families, and clients strengthen their micro-enterprises through practical knowledge. Education plus support equals uplifted lives.
But education is not confined to classrooms. It is lifelong—found in reading, in experiences, in training, and most importantly, in God’s Word. Each of us is called to keep learning and growing.
As we start the month of September, let us not be like those “waiting to wake up when September ends.” Instead, may we rise now to value literacy and education as tools God uses to transform lives. Education and literacy are precious gifts, but wisdom and understanding from God give them true power. With both, we can build stronger foundations for ourselves, our families, and our communities.