Understanding the Link between Literacy and Numeracy Skills among Primary Pupils

Authors

  • Agripina S. Jabanes Balugo Elementary School, Valencia, Negros Oriental, Philippines
  • Maria Chona Z. Futalan Foundation University, Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2025.229

Keywords:

English performance, Foundational literacy, Learner profile, Math performance, Primary numeracy skills, Socioeconomic factors

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between literacy and numeracy skills among Grade 3 learners. A total of 340 learners from 21 schools in the Valencia District were selected using a systematic sampling method. Informed consent was obtained from all participants, and strict measures were implemented to ensure data confidentiality. The study employed a descriptive-correlational design and utilized standardized EGRA and EGMA testing tools. Percentages, means, and the Chi-Square Test were used for statistical analysis. Findings revealed that approximately 20% of the learners were non-readers, while 30% were non-numerate. The study also established a significant relationship between learners' foundational literacy and their numeracy skills. Data on foundational literacy showed that female learners, those excelling in English and Math, learners from higher-income families, and those with educated parents achieved higher scores. For numeracy skills, only English and Math performance were significantly linked to learners' math abilities. These findings underscore the importance of targeted educational planning and interventions that support disadvantaged groups and enhance core subject skills to improve overall literacy and numeracy outcomes.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abella, J., Kilag, O. K., Andrin, G., Tañiza, F. N., Groenewald, E., & Cordova Jr, N. (2024). Benchmarking literacy and numeracy: The contributing elements. Excellencia: International Multi-disciplinary Journal of Education (2994-9521), 2(1), 90-99. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10552279

Acido, J. V., & Caballes, D. G. (2024). Assessing educational progress: A comparative analysis of PISA results (2018 vs. 2022) and HDI correlation in the Philippines. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 21(1), 462–474. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.21.1.0020

Agusfianuddin, A., Herman, T., & Turmudi, T. (2024). Difficulties in mathematical language and representation among elementary school students when solving word problems. Jurnal Elemen, 10(3), 567–581. https://doi.org/10.29408/jel.v10i3.25814

Aksan, J. A. (2021). Effect of modular distance learning approach to academic performance in Mathematics of students in Mindanao state University-Sulu senior high school amidst covid-19 pandemic. Open Access Indonesia Journal of Social Sciences, 4(4), 445-467. https://doi.org/10.37275/oaijss.v4i2.64

Alkhawaldeh, M. A., & Khasawneh, M. A. S. (2023). Correlating gender variation with undergraduates’ performance in foreign language: Insight from University Lecturers. Migration Letters, 20(S2), 909-920. https://doi.org/10.59670/ml.v20iS2.3743

Birgin, O., Gürbüz, R., & Memiş, K. Z. (2022). Performance of second-grade elementary school students on counting, place value understanding, and addition operation in natural numbers. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 53(12), 3377-3392. https://doi.org/10.1080/0020739X.2021.1944680

Chand, S., Chaudhary, K., Prasad, A., & Chand, V. (2021). Perceived causes of students’ poor performance in Mathematics: A case study at Ba and Tavua secondary schools. Frontiers in applied mathematics and statistics, 7, 614408. https://doi.org/10.3389/fams.2021.614408

Cruz, J., Alves, D., Carvalho, M., Mendes, S. A., Rodrigues, B., & Cadime, I. (2024). Assessment of math abilities before school entry: A tool development. Frontiers in Education, 8, 1347143. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2023.1347143

Dassa, A., Hidayah, N., Mansyur, A. J., Hafsari, N., & Ramlan, M. S. (2023). Metacognitive scaffolding in solving numerical literacy problems in secondary school. Journal of Didactic Studies, 1(2), 114-126. https://doi.org/10.17509/jds.v1i2.66171

Deta, U. A., Ayun, S. K., Laila, L., Prahani, B. K., & Suprapto, N. (2024). PISA science framework 2018 vs 2025 and its impact in Physics education: Literature review. Momentum: Physics Education Journal, 8(1), 95-107. https://doi.org/10.21067/mpej.v8i1.9215

Ehri, L. C. (2022). What teachers need to know and do to teach letter–sounds, phonemic awareness, word reading, and phonics. The Reading Teacher, 76(1), 53-61. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.2095

Evans, D. K., & Hares, S. (2021). Should governments and donors prioritize investments in foundational literacy and numeracy? Center for Global Development. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/5n87x9z8

Gioia, P., Ziegler, J., & Deauviau, J. (2024). Revisiting the causal effects of phonemic awareness on reading acquisition: Insights from a systematic review and a large-scale longitudinal study. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/xc2qa

Gesuelli, K.-A., Miller-Cotto, D., & Barbieri, C. A. (2025). Variability in math achievement growth among students with early math learning difficulties and the role of school supports. Journal of Educational Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000928

Hamad Al-khresheh, M. (2020). The impact of cultural background on listening comprehension of Saudi EFL students. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ), 11. https://ssrn.com/abstract=3705756

Hardiyanto, A., Tanjung, M., & Suharjono, S. (2021). Listening comprehension difficulties: A case study of EFL students in listening class. ETERNAL (English, Teaching, Learning, and Research Journal), 7(1), 168-179. https://doi.org/10.24252/Eternal.V71.2021.A12

Holmquist, S., Catlin, D., & Hicks, F. (2024). Using simple using educational robots as a technology for teaching early childhood and primary education literacy in the United States. EasyChair. https://tinyurl.com/37j5ebe5

Idulog, M. V., Gadiano, R., Toledo, E., Hermosada, M., Casaldon, H., Mariposa, M., Geron, C., Dequito, E., Genanda, J., Malipot, M. A., Pentang, J. T., & Bautista, R. (2023). Filipino students’ reading abilities: A note on the challenges and potential areas for improvement. International Journal of Education and Teaching Zone, 2(2), 233–242. https://doi.org/10.57092/ijetz.v2i2.128

Indrawatiningsih, N., Qomariyah, S., Nubita, A. R., & Muarofah, L. (2024). Effectiveness of differentiated learning in improving literacy and numeracy of primary school students. Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies, 50(5), 8–17. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajess/2024/v50i51337

Irkinovich, N. R., & Izatullaevna, I. I. (2022). Methods for teaching reading. Journal of Pedagogical Inventions and Practices, 15, 47-50. https://zienjournals.com/index.php/jpip/article/view/2968

Iswara, H. S., Ahmadi, F., & Da Ary, D. (2022). Numeracy literacy skills of elementary school students through Ethnomathematics-based problem solving. Interdisciplinary Social Studies, 2(2), 1604-1616. https://doi.org/10.55324/iss.v2i2.316

Jabbar, A., & Warraich, N. F. (2023). Gender differences in leisure reading habits: A systematic review of literature. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, 72(6/7), 572-592. https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-12-2020-0200

Jannah, W. N., Herman, T., Agustin, M., & Damaianti, V. S. (2025). Literacy of Mathematical story problems on problem solving skills of elementary school students. Jurnal Cakrawala Pendas, 11(1), 160-175. https://doi.org/10.31949/jcp.v11i1.12426

Jannah, G. F., Robicha, N., Syarifah, K. I., & Rasilah, R. (2025). Introduction to basic Mathematical concepts through learning media. Journal of Mathematics Instruction, Social Research and Opinion, 4(1), 43-56. https://doi.org/10.58421/misro.v4i1.290

Casupanan, I., & Fastidio, J. (2024). Enhancing reading literacy in Grade 2 pupils: An evaluation of the enhanced Marungko approach. HO CHI MINH CITY OPEN UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE - SOCIAL SCIENCES, 14(4), 84–94. https://doi.org/10.46223/HCMCOUJS.soci.en.14.4.3067.2024

Keller, L., Preckel, F., Eccles, J. S., & Brunner, M. (2022). Top-performing Math students in 82 countries: An integrative data analysis of gender differences in achievement, achievement profiles, and achievement motivation. Journal of Educational Psychology, 114(5), 966–991. https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000685

Ludewig, U., Kleinkorres, R., Schaufelberger, R., Schlitter, T., Lorenz, R., König, C., Frey, A., & McElvany, N. (2022). Covid-19 pandemic and student reading achievement: Findings from a school panel study. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 876485. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.876485

Mabena, N., Mokgosi, P. N., & Ramapela, S. S. (2021). Factors contributing to poor learner performance in Mathematics: A case of selected schools in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Problems of Education in the 21st Century, 79(3), 451. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=956235

Maguate, G., Sotto, N. A., Moises, R., Ohoylan, J. G., & Alegre, A. (2024). Efficacy of national learning camp to literacy and numeracy of grade 7 learners. International Multidisciplinary Journal of Research for Innovation, Sustainability, and Excellence (IMJRISE), 1(1), 68-72. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10990493

Manu, M., Torppa, M., Vasalampi, K., Lerkkanen, M. K., Poikkeus, A. M., & Niemi, P. (2023). Reading development from kindergarten to age 18: The role of gender and parental education. Reading Research Quarterly, 58(4), 505-538. https://doi.org/10.1002/rrq.518

Maquiling, Z. M. C (2023). Enhancing literacy and numeracy instruction in multigrade classrooms. United International Journal for Research & Technology, 5(7), 61-74. https://uijrt.com/articles/v5/i7/UIJRTV5I70006.pdf

Nkomo, S. A., & Carrim, A. (2024). Where are the wheels coming off? Investigating South African grade one learners’ letter-sound knowledge. 8762–8769. https://doi.org/10.21125/iceri.2024.2199

OECD. (2023). PISA 2022 results (Volume 1): The state of learning and equity in education. OECD. https://doi.org/10.1787/53f23881-en

Pawartani, T., Suyono, S., & Rufiana, I. S. (2025). Literacy synergy: The relationship between reading and numeracy literacy skills in elementary school students. Paedagoria: Jurnal Kajian, Penelitian dan Pengembangan Kependidikan, 16(1), 56-63. https://doi.org/10.31764/paedagoria.v16i1.27768

Piasta, S. B., Logan, J. A., Farley, K. S., Strang, T. M., & Justice, L. M. (2022). Profiles and predictors of children’s growth in alphabet knowledge. Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk (JESPAR), 27(1), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/10824669.2021.1871617

Prabowo, A., Suparman, S., Li, C. S., Janan, D., & Damayanti, T. D. (2023). The effect of reading literacy to mathematics comprehension of elementary school students in Indonesia and Malaysia. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE), 12(1), 546. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijere.v12i1.25714

Pramasdyahsari, A. S., Rubowo, M. R., Nindita, V., Astutik, I. D., Pant, B. P., Dahal, N., & Luitel, B. C. (2024). Developing engaging STEAM-geometry activities: Fostering Mathematical creativity through the engineering design process using Indonesian cuisine context. Infinity Journal, 14(1), 213–234. https://doi.org/10.22460/infinity.v14i1.p213-234

Pramesti, A. R., Kamid, K., & Rohati, R. (2024). Description of process skills of students with dyscalculia in understanding the concept of counting operations through Ethnomathematics. Journal of General Education and Humanities, 4(1), 69–80. https://doi.org/10.58421/gehu.v4i1.339

Pratiwi, S. A., Peni, N. R. N., & Prabowo, A. (2024). Study on literacy numeracy towards students’ logic Mathematics: A literature review. Numeracy, 11(1), 58-69. https://doi.org/10.46244/numeracy.v11i1.2601

Pulumbarit, J. P., Pulumbarit, C. B., & Canet, L. (2023). A phenomenological study of the under-skilled learners on reading and numeracy through distance learning: Case of elementary schools. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmra/v7-i01-31

Rice, M., Erbeli, F., & Wijekumar, K. (2024). Phonemic awareness: Evidence-based instruction for students in need of intervention. Intervention in School and Clinic, 59(4), 269-273. https://doi.org/10.1177/10534512231156881

Rosnelli, R., & Ristiana, P. A. (2023). Independent curriculum learning management to improve students’ literacy and numerical competence in schools. International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology, 11(4), 946–963. https://doi.org/10.46328/ijemst.3513

Samia, J. A. T. (2024). Pupils’ reading and numerical literacy in the Pre-COVID-19 pandemic and during the pandemic with modular and face-to-face instructions. Multidisciplinary International Journal of Research and Development, 3(3), 59-68. https://www.mijrd.com/papers/v3/i3/MIJRDV3I30005.pdf

Santiago, E. T., & Mustacisa, M. L. (2024). Building the foundation: How literacy and numeracy skills in third grade impact overall academic achievement. Ignatian International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research, 2(7), 367–381. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12733229

Santocildes, N. P., & Guanzon, P. (2024) Reading proficiency of grade two learners using big books with historical content. International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Studies, 4(1), 938–941. https://doi.org/10.62225/2583049X.2024.4.1.2316

Shamir, H., Tom, M., Pocklington, D., Yoder, E., & Houchins, A. (2024). Early math skill as a predictor for foundational literacy. In A. Sifaleras & F. Lin (Eds.), Generative Intelligence and Intelligent Tutoring Systems (Vol. 14798, pp. 281–290). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-63028-6_22

Shero, J. A., Erbeli, F., Reed, Z. E., Haughbrook, R., Davis, O. S. P., Hart, S. A., & Taylor, J. E. (2024). Where you live matters: Visualizing environmental effects on reading attainment. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 65(6), 798–808. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13909

Shone, E. T., Weldemeskel, F. M., & Worku, B. N. (2024). The role of students’ Mathematics perception and self‐efficacy toward their Mathematics achievement. Psychology in the Schools, 61(1), 103–122. https://doi.org/10.1002/pits.23033

Shumway, J. (2023). Number sense routines: Building numerical literacy every day in grades K-3. Routledge https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032681931

Susetyo, B. (2024). Identifying the effects of financial literacy on student achievement in Mathematics. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 21(1), 733–745. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.21.1.0089

Tañiza, F. N., Kilag, O. K., Groenewald, E., Andrin, G., Abella, J., & Cordova Jr, N. (2024). Leading the way: A strategic approach to large-scale educational reform in literacy and numeracy. Excellencia: International Multi-disciplinary Journal of Education (2994-9521), 2(1), 47-57. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.10552125

Thomas, D. P., Hopwood, B., Hatisaru, V., & Hicks, D. (2024). Gender differences in reading and numeracy achievement across the school years. The Australian Educational Researcher, 51(1), 41-66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13384-022-00583-8

Tomas, M. J. L., Villaros, E. T., & Galman, S. M. A. (2021). The perceived challenges in reading of learners: Basis for school reading programs. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 9(5), 107–122. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2021.95009

Tran, T. (2020). Insights into listening comprehension problems: A case study in vietnam. PASAA, 59(1), 77–100. https://doi.org/10.58837/CHULA.PASAA.59.1.4

Tseer, T., Ngmenkpieo, F., & Damwah, A. K. (2025). Normalised heteropatriachy and performance disparity among male and female students in Senior High Schools. International Journal of Educational Research Open, 8, 100425.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2024.100425

Villegas, J. (2024). Reading comprehension level and english performance of shs students: Basis for instructional plan. ISRG Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 2(2), 361-369. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.11092146

Waluya, S. B., & Sukestiyarno, Y. L. (2023). Numerical literacy and Math self-concept of children with special needs in inclusive elementary schools. International Journal of Instruction, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2023.16358a

Whitehead, H. L., Ball, M. C., Brice, H., Wolf, S., Kembou, S., Ogan, A., & Jasińska, K. K. (2024). Variability in the age of schooling contributes to the link between literacy and numeracy in Côte d'Ivoire. Child development, 95(2), e93-e109. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.14018

Yadav, A. (2023). Foundational literacy and numeracy assessment. Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results, 2944-2953. https://doi.org/10.47750/pnr.2023.14.02.347

Yang, J., & Wang, J. (2022). Effect of English vocabulary on English reading performance in the Wenzhou-kean University. OALib, 9(2), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1108389

Zhanabil, N., & Tazhenova, G. (2023). The importance of assessing students’ reading literacy. Eurasian Science Review: An International Peer-Reviewed Multidisciplinary Journal, 2(1), 66–70. https://doi.org/10.63034/esr-30

Zheng, J., Cheung, K., & Sit, P. (2024). Insights from two decades of pisa-related studies in the new century: A systematic review. Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 68(3), 371–388. https://doi.org/10.1080/00313831.2022.2148273

Downloads

Published

2025-05-25

How to Cite

Jabanes, A., & Futalan, M. C. (2025). Understanding the Link between Literacy and Numeracy Skills among Primary Pupils. Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 3(6), 407–415. https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2025.229