Mastering Foundational Skills: A Comprehensive Guide to the FLEMMS Supplement

Introduction: Understanding FLEMMS and the Path to Functional Literacy

The Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS) is a critical tool used by the Philippine government to assess the state of literacy and education across the nation. Conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), this survey provides invaluable data that shapes national policies and educational programs, all with the goal of enhancing the skills and capabilities of the Filipino people ^[1]. The 2024 FLEMMS results highlight a significant achievement: a 93.1% basic literacy rate among Filipinos aged 10 to 64. This means the vast majority of the population can read, write, and perform basic calculations. However, the survey also reveals a crucial area for growth: the functional literacy rate stands at 70.8% ^[2].

Basic literacy is the ability to read and write, while functional literacy is the ability to use those skills to navigate daily life effectively, from understanding a bus schedule to managing personal finances. The gap between these two figures underscores the need for targeted educational initiatives that go beyond rote memorization and focus on practical application and critical thinking. This is where the FLEMMS Supplement comes in. This comprehensive course is designed to bridge that gap, providing learners with the foundational skills in mathematics and reading comprehension necessary to thrive in the 21st century.

This guide will walk you through the two core units of the FLEMMS Supplement, offering in-depth explanations, practical examples, and valuable resources to support your learning journey. Whether you are a student seeking to strengthen your foundational skills, a teacher looking for supplementary materials, or an individual committed to lifelong learning, this course will empower you to achieve functional literacy and unlock your full potential.

Unit 1: Mastering the Four Basic Operations in Mathematics

Mathematics is the language of the universe, and the four basic operations—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—are its alphabet. Mastering these fundamental skills is not just about passing exams; it is about developing the ability to solve real-world problems, manage finances, and make informed decisions. This unit will provide a comprehensive overview of these operations, from the basics to more advanced applications.

Section 1: The Building Blocks of Math

Before diving into complex calculations, it is essential to have a solid understanding of the four basic operations. This section will introduce you to the core concepts and terminology that will serve as the foundation for your mathematical journey.

The Four Basic Operations:

• Addition (+): The process of combining two or more numbers to find their total sum.
• Subtraction (-): The process of finding the difference between two numbers.
• Multiplication (x): The process of repeated addition, or scaling one number by another.
• Division (÷): The process of splitting a number into equal parts or groups.

To help you visualize and understand these concepts, watch the following video, which provides a clear and concise explanation of the four basic operations:

📺 Watch: The Four Basic Operations – Definitions

Beyond the basic operations, understanding place value is crucial for working with multi-digit numbers. Each digit in a number has a value based on its position. For example, in the number 3,456, the “3” represents 3,000, the “4” represents 400, the “5” represents 50, and the “6” represents 6. This concept is fundamental to rounding, comparing, and performing calculations with whole numbers.

Section 2: Practical Applications

Mathematics is not just an abstract subject; it is a practical tool that we use every day. This section will explore some of the real-world applications of the four basic operations, helping you to see the relevance of math in your daily life.

Working with Philippine Currency:

From budgeting for groceries to calculating transportation costs, understanding how to work with money is an essential life skill. The FLEMMS Supplement covers working with Philippine currency up to ₱1,000, providing you with the skills you need to manage your finances effectively.

Identifying Patterns and Skip Counting:

Patterns are all around us, from the stripes on a shirt to the rhythm of a song. The ability to recognize and understand patterns is a key mathematical skill that can help you to solve problems and make predictions. Skip counting—counting by numbers other than one (e.g., 2s, 5s, 10s)—is a great way to develop your pattern-recognition skills and build a foundation for multiplication.

Solving Word Problems:

Word problems are a great way to apply your mathematical knowledge to real-world scenarios. They challenge you to read and understand a problem, identify the relevant information, and choose the correct operation to solve it. The FLEMMS Supplement includes a variety of word problems to help you hone your problem-solving skills.

Section 3: Advanced Operations

Once you have mastered the basics, you will be ready to tackle more complex calculations. This section will guide you through multi-digit addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, providing you with the strategies you need to solve even the most challenging problems.

Multi-Digit Addition and Subtraction:

Working with multi-digit numbers requires a solid understanding of place value and regrouping (carrying over in addition and borrowing in subtraction). With practice, you will be able to add and subtract numbers of any size with confidence.

Multiplication and Division with Larger Numbers:

The FLEMMS Supplement covers multiplication with products up to 10,000 and the division of 2- to 4-digit numbers. These skills are essential for a wide range of applications, from calculating the area of a room to splitting a bill among friends.

For a comprehensive tutorial on working with whole numbers, watch this video:

📺 Watch: How to Add, Subtract, Multiply, and Divide Whole Numbers

📺 Watch: The Four Operations – Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide

Unit 2: Enhancing Reading Comprehension Skills

Reading is more than just decoding words on a page; it is about understanding, interpreting, and engaging with the text. Strong reading comprehension skills are essential for academic success, professional growth, and active participation in society. This unit will equip you with the strategies you need to become a more confident and effective reader.

Section 1: The Fundamentals of Language

A solid understanding of grammar is the foundation of effective reading comprehension. This section will review the basic building blocks of the English language, helping you to make sense of the sentences you read.

The Parts of Speech:

• Nouns: Words that represent people, places, things, or ideas.
• Verbs: Words that describe actions or states of being.
• Adjectives: Words that describe nouns.
• Pronouns: Words that take the place of nouns.

Sentence Structure:

Understanding how sentences are constructed—from simple and compound sentences to more complex structures—will help you to follow the author’s train of thought and identify the relationships between ideas.

This video provides an excellent overview of reading comprehension strategies:

📺 Watch: Reading Comprehension Strategies

Section 2: Becoming an Active Reader

Passive reading—simply letting your eyes scan the words—is not enough. To truly comprehend a text, you must become an active reader, engaging with the material and thinking critically about what you are reading. This section will introduce you to key strategies for active reading.

Key Strategies for Active Reading:

• Identifying the Main Idea: What is the central point the author is trying to make?
• Summarizing: Can you restate the main points of the text in your own words?
• Finding Supporting Details: What evidence does the author provide to support their claims?
• Understanding the Author’s Purpose: Is the author trying to inform, persuade, entertain, or describe?

Section 3: Critical Thinking and Analysis

Reading comprehension is not just about understanding what the text says; it is also about analyzing and evaluating it. This section will help you to develop your critical thinking skills, allowing you to read with a more discerning eye.

Developing Critical Thinking Skills:

• Drawing Conclusions: What can you infer from the text, even if it is not stated directly?
• Making Inferences: Reading between the lines to understand the author’s implied meaning.
• Distinguishing Fact from Opinion: Is the author presenting objective information or their own personal beliefs?

For a deeper dive into mastering reading comprehension skills, watch this video:

📺 Watch: Mastering Reading Comprehension Skills

📺 Watch: Practice Reading Comprehension Skills and Learn 4 Key Strategies

The Importance of Functional Literacy in the Philippines

The need for a course like the FLEMMS Supplement is underscored by the findings of both the 2024 FLEMMS survey and recent academic research. While the Philippines has made great strides in achieving near-universal basic literacy, the challenge now lies in translating those foundational skills into functional literacy.

A 2023 study by Igarashi and Suryadarma, published in the International Journal of Educational Development, provides a sobering analysis of the state of foundational skills among Filipino students. The study found that while reading skills have shown some improvement in the early grades, foundational mathematics skills have been on a consistent decline over the past two decades ^[3]. This research highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions that can reverse these trends and equip students with the skills they need to succeed.

The FLEMMS Supplement is a direct response to this need. By providing a comprehensive and accessible curriculum in both mathematics and reading comprehension, this course aims to empower learners of all ages to achieve functional literacy and become active, engaged, and informed citizens.

“Children around the world largely rely on the formal education system to teach them foundational mathematics and reading skills. The inability of an education system to do so may indicate it has structural constraints.” – Igarashi & Suryadarma (2023)

Conclusion: Your Journey to Lifelong Learning

Mastering the foundational skills of mathematics and reading comprehension is not just about passing a test or earning a certificate; it is about opening doors to new opportunities, empowering yourself with knowledge, and becoming a more confident and capable individual. The FLEMMS Supplement is more than just a course; it is a stepping stone on your journey to lifelong learning.

As you work through this guide and the accompanying materials, remember that every new concept you learn, every problem you solve, and every text you comprehend is a step forward on your path to functional literacy. The skills you develop here will serve you well in all aspects of your life, from your personal finances to your professional career to your engagement with the world around you.

References

[1] Philippine Statistics Authority. (2025). Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS). Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/

[2] Department of Education. (2025, April 4). DepEd strengthens commitment to literacy as FLEMMS results show gains, opportunities. Retrieved from https://www.deped.gov.ph/2025/04/04/deped-strengthens-commitment-to-literacy-as-flemms-results-show-gains-opportunities/

[3] Igarashi, T., & Suryadarma, D. (2023). Foundational mathematics and reading skills of Filipino students over a generation. International Journal of Educational Development, 96, 102688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedudev.2022.102688