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DepEd: Students show double-digit score increases in PISA 2025

Education Secretary Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara on Tuesday announced that the Philippines’ performance in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2025 showed significant gains across all three areas: reading, mathematics and science.

The Philippines recorded a mean score of 373 in science, 371 in mathematics and 367 in reading-up by 17 points, 16 points and 20 points, respectively, from the country’s 2022 results.

Angara, who presented the results during the national results launch at Caloocan City Science High School, said that this achievement mark a notable step forward in the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s efforts to improve learning outcomes.

More Filipino learners also reached Level 2 or higher, the baseline proficiency level measured by PISA.

The proportion increased from 23 percent to 32 percent in science, from 16 percent to 21 percent in mathematics, and from 24 percent to 31 percent in reading.

From its mean score, the Philippines outranked 14 participating countries in science, 16 countries in mathematics, and 18 countries in reading.

‘This is a significant achievement for our learners and for the entire Philippine education system …But more than the numbers, we are seeing evidence that our learners are capable of making real and meaningful progress,’ Angara said.

Angara said the results should encourage the country to build on the gains while keeping its focus on learners who continue to struggle.

‘We should be proud of how far our learners and teachers have come, but we should be even more determined about how much farther we can go,’ Angara said.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) 10-year trend analysis also shows that the Philippines is the fastest improving country in terms of reading performance.

The OECD, likewise, identified the Philippines among countries with notable improvement in mathematics. In science, the Philippines recorded a positive long-term trend despite an overall decline in science performance globally.

‘My warmest congratulations to the teachers and school leaders of the Philippines because what you have achieved in this latest round of OECD’s PISA assessment is not just good news for the Philippines, it’s a story that deserves to be noticed far beyond your borders,’ OECD Director for Education and Skills Andreas Schleicher said.

Angara said the gains from the PISA results reflect the collective work being done across the education system-from teachers and school leaders to parents, local governments and other partners.

The PISA presentation also highlighted the role of school readiness, parents, local government units and private sector partners in the country’s performance, underscoring that improving education is a shared responsibility.

OECD Policy Analyst Rodrigo Castañeda Valle also provided perspectives on the Philippine results and global education trends. Despite the encouraging results, DepEd said the latest PISA performance also highlights the work that remains.

The Department’s next priorities include addressing equity, while sustaining reforms aimed at improving learning outcomes and supporting teachers and schools. DepEd will also continue working with education partners to promote the responsible use of digital technology and address challenges such as cyberbullying and its effects on learning.

Angara said the country’s improved PISA performance should be seen as a starting point for an even more ambitious push to improve learning for every Filipino child.

Three-storey building collapses in Abuja, rescue operations ongoing

A three-storey commercial building has collapsed in the Wuse area of Abuja, with emergency agencies conducting search and rescue operations amid uncertainty over the number of people who may have been affected.

The FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) said it received a distress call at about 7:20 p.m. on Monday, September 7, and immediately mobilised emergency responders to the scene.

The FCT Police Command, however, said it received the distress call at approximately 7:45 p.m., identifying the location as Abidjan Street, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja.

FEMD described the location as Wuse Zone 4.

In a statement issued by Nkechi Isa, Head, Public Affairs, FEMD, on Monday in Abuja, eyewitness accounts indicated that there were no casualties as of the time of the statement.

The statement said, however, that search and rescue operations were still ongoing as responders awaited the arrival of an excavator to enhance the search.

The police said no victims had been confirmed so far, but responders were continuing to search the rubble for anyone who may be trapped.

A significant development in the incident is the police disclosure that the collapsed building had previously been marked and sealed by the Department of Development Control, Abuja.

The police said preliminary investigations showed that the structure had been sealed before the collapse, while an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and its possible cause.

A police response team led by Edward Akaniyene, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, and Georgelyn Ufomadu, Area Commander, Metro, responded to the scene alongside officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Federal Fire Service (FFS), Security Service Department, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and other relevant emergency agencies.

The agencies have commenced coordinated search and rescue operations, with authorities yet to establish the full extent of damage or confirm whether anyone remains trapped beneath the rubble.

FEMD said details concerning the number of persons affected and the cause of the collapse were still emerging.

Both agencies urged members of the public to remain calm and stay away from the affected area to give emergency responders and security personnel unrestricted access to carry out rescue operations.

The police also urged residents to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious activities or emergencies through their emergency lines.

Further details on casualties, the extent of damage and the circumstances surrounding the collapse are expected as search and rescue operations and investigations continue.

My Journey To Veep God’s Will – Bawumia

Former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has called on Ghanaians to remain tolerant and submissive to the will of Allah, citing the changing nature of power and life.

Delivering a speech at the 2026 National Maulid hosted by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, at Fadama, Dr. Bawumia reflected on how both he and President John Dramani Mahama have attended the same Maulid in different capacities over the years.

‘This gathering itself is a perfect example of the changing nature of life and the absolute power of Allah. I recall that I have attended this same National Maulid in different capacities – I attended as a Running Mate, then I had the honour of attending as Vice President of the Republic, and today, I am here as a Former Vice President,’ he told the gathering.

‘In the same vein, my senior brother, H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, who is represented here tonight, has also attended this Maulid as Vice President, then as President, then as Former President, and today, by the grace of Allah, he is back as President.’

Dr. Bawumia said these trajectories are a clear demonstration of Allah’s sovereignty, quoting Quran 3:26: ‘Say, O Allah, Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. In Your hand is all good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.’

He urged Ghanaians to accept that ‘Today you may be up, tomorrow you may be down. Today you may have, tomorrow you may not,’ and therefore be patient.

Road transport can make Middle Corridor more flexible, says Sharipov

Automobile transport can become an important element of the Middle Corridor, making the route more flexible, faster and more competitive, Ruslan Sharipov, Middle Corridor Project Manager at TransExpeditions, told AzerNEWS in an exclusive interview.

Sharipov said road transport could effectively complement rail freight and help improve both the speed and cost efficiency of the corridor.

“This completely coincides with the concept that I presented today. We believe that road transport organically complements rail transportation,” he noted.

According to Sharipov, road transport offers greater flexibility and maneuverability, while proper organization of the process could make it competitive in terms of both delivery time and price.

He stressed that the role of road transport in the Middle Corridor should not be limited to conventional semi-trailer transportation. Containers can also be efficiently transported using specialized container trailers, allowing different modes of transport to be integrated into a single logistics chain.

“Containers are very convenient and profitable to transport on specialized trailers, container carriers, and then the entire chain becomes seamless,” Sharipov highlighted.

He explained that under such a model, a container can be loaded in China and continue along the entire route to its final destination without the need to transfer the cargo from one container to another.

“This container, without reloading, follows the entire route to wherever it needs to go,” he noted.

Sharipov described containerization as one of the most important innovations in the history of logistics, saying that combining containers with road transport creates a highly mobile and efficient solution.

“When we combine containers with road transport, we get an incredibly mobile, efficient and economically viable solution,” he pointed out.

According to Sharipov, the wider use of such intermodal solutions could help the Middle Corridor strengthen its competitiveness by combining the advantages of rail and road transportation within a single, seamless logistics chain.

N100bn fund to transform King’s College Lagos as KCOBA takes over

A new chapter is unfolding at King’s College Lagos as the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA) unveils an ambitious N100 billion transformation fund to overhaul the century-old institution, amid moves by the old boys to take over its management.

This is following a letter to the principal of King’s College Lagos signed by O.F. Olatunji-David, director overseeing the permanent secretary for the minister of education, on September 4, with the title, ‘Concession of King’s College Lagos to King’s College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) sighted by BusinessDay, which reads, ‘I am directed to refer you to the above subject and inform you that following the conclusion of necessary processes up to the signing of Concession Agreement, King’s College Lagos has been concessioned by King’s College Old Boys Association.’

The new development suggests that the Federal Ministry of Education has formally handed over the management of King’s College, Lagos, to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA) with the signing of the concession agreement.

And as part of the transformation plan, KCOBA announced a N100 billion endowment fund to support the school’s long-term development.

The development marks a significant milestone in efforts to reposition the 116-year-old institution and transform it into a world-class centre of academic excellence.

A transition committee has been constituted to oversee a smooth handover process and ensure that academic activities and other operations are not disrupted.

Staff members who wish to retain their federal employment status will be accommodated, with arrangements for their reassignment to be handled by the Federal Civil Service Commission.

The concession is not intended as a privatisation of King’s College but as a public-private partnership aimed at revitalising the historic institution.

The proposed investment is expected to focus on upgrading school infrastructure and classrooms, improving teacher training and welfare, introducing modern digital learning facilities and strengthening scholarship programmes for academically outstanding students from diverse backgrounds.

The initiative is expected to combine the institution’s long-standing heritage with sustained alumni investment to improve its academic standards, infrastructure and overall learning environment.

With KCOBA now assuming management responsibilities, the development is being positioned as a new chapter in the history of King’s College, Lagos, with the ultimate goal of restoring and advancing its reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading secondary schools.

Recall that BusinessDay reported on August 17 that the proposed concession of King’s College, Lagos, to its old boys sparked widespread opposition, with parents and other stakeholders threatening a mass protest over concerns about the plans by the federal government.

The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) came out strongly against the concession, which was granted to the King’s College Old Boys’ Association (KCOBA), describing it as a move that lacks broad support among those with a direct stake in the 116-year-old institution.

According to Peter Oluwaseye, the PTA chairman, ‘Parents are not in support of the move. Senior civil servants are also saying no to it. The community is also not in support; alumni should not treat the college as personal property since they attended the school just like the current students are doing.’

SM Foundation reaches highest number of active scholars to date

SM Foundation’s scholarship program now supports its highest number of active scholars to date, with 3,492 scholars pursuing their college education across the country.

That journey will come full circle this September, as 274 scholars are set to be recognized at the Presentation of the SM College Scholar Graduates, marking the completion of one chapter and the beginning of another as they take their next steps toward their future.

Seylan Bank crowned Sri Lanka’s Best Bank for Customer Experience & SMEs

Two prestigious Euromoney Awards. One proud milestone for Sri Lankan banking.

Seylan Bank, Sri Lanka’s Bank with a Heart, celebrates international recognition at the prestigious Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, securing two coveted titles, Sri Lanka’s Best Bank for Customer Experience, for the second consecutive year and Sri Lanka’s Best Bank for SMEs.

The dual recognition reflects Seylan Bank’s continued commitment to innovation, accessibility and relationship-led banking, setting a global benchmark for excellence within Sri Lanka’s banking sector.

The accolades reinforce Seylan Bank’s position as a leading financial institution in Sri Lanka, delivering world-class customer experiences, empowering SMEs and helping shape the country’s financial future with progress, trust and meaningful relationships.

FOOTBALL-TRINIDAD-Wales to officiate in Saudi Pro League

Trinidadian referee Caleb Wales has been selected to officiate in the Saudi Pro League.

Wales, who recently took part at the FIFA World Cup, was invited by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to officiate in the match between sixth placed Al-Ahli and third placed Al-Qadsiah at the EGO Stadium in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation formally requested Wales’ services through the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation, via a letter to General Secretary Kareem Paul, with the local official scheduled to be in Saudi Arabia from September 7 to 9.

The fixture carries added importance with both Al-Ahli and Al-Qadsiah looking to remain within touching distance of the early leaders. Both teams enter the match on the back of victories without conceding, with Al-Ahli particularly impressive in a 5-0 win in their previous outing.

There is also some recent history between the two sides. In their meeting last season, Al-Ahli raced into a 2-0 advantage before Al-Qadsiah produced a dramatic turnaround to claim a 3-2 victory.

With both clubs boasting strong squads and important points at stake, the contest is expected to be a fiercely competitive one and represents another high-profile appointment for Wales.

The TTFA congratulated Wales on the appointment and wished him well for the assignment as he continues to represent T and T at the highest levels of international refereeing.

Marking 63 years of empowering Filipinos: LANDBANK employees extend volunteer service nationwide for communities, environment

In celebration of its 63rd anniversary, LANDBANK mobilized employees nationwide for a series of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives throughout August under its Volunteerific Program, the Bank’s flagship employee volunteerism initiative that encourages meaningful participation in community development and environmental activities across the country.

Australia and Sri Lanka strengthen partnership on electoral integrity

Australia and Sri Lanka have taken another step forward in their longstanding partnership, with the Australian Electoral Commission and the Election Commission of Sri Lanka signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Colombo on 2 September.

Strong, trusted election systems are fundamental to vibrant and well-functioning democracies. They ensure democratic institutions reflect their communities, respond to the needs of their people, and maintain public confidence.

As Indian Ocean neighbours and two of the region’s most vibrant democracies, Australia and Sri Lanka are natural partners. Both countries share a commitment to credible electoral processes, strong public institutions, and democratic governance.

The MoU will deepen practical cooperation between the two electoral commissions, creating opportunities to share expertise, exchange experience, and learn from each other on election management and administration.

Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Matthew Duckworth said: ‘Strong election systems are the bedrock of our democracies. They give citizens confidence that their voices count, that their governments reflect the community’s aspirations and that their institutions serve them. As Indian Ocean neighbours and two of the region’s most vibrant democracies, Australia and Sri Lanka are natural partners. This agreement brings together two respected electoral institutions to share expertise, learn from each other and strengthen the systems that underpin our democracies. As Australia and Sri Lanka approach 80 years of partnership, this is another practical example of our countries working together to build strong institutions and deliver for our people.’

The signing was attended by Australian High Commissioner Duckworth, Australian Electoral Commission Acting Assistant Commissioner Melinda Vernon, Director – International Engagement Joanne Ridolfi, Election Commission of Sri Lanka Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, members of the Commission, General of Elections Commissioner Rasika Peiris, and senior officials from both organisations.