In this era often described as the age of information, the ability to navigate and manage facts, figures, and digital content has become just as vital as reading, writing, and mathematics. Data literacy — the capacity to read, interpret, question, and verify data — is now a core skill not only in business but, I believe, in everyday life. While many organizations have begun integrating data literacy into their operations to support decision-making, the promise of data literacy goes far beyond business and corporate settings. I think data literacy is now a foundational skill for effective citizenship.

Across the globe, and increasingly in the Philippines, we are witnessing a flood of misinformation, disinformation, and fake news. These are no longer isolated incidents. They are part of a broader, systemic challenge that undermines trust in institutions, polarizes communities, and distorts democratic discourse. In such a climate, data literacy becomes a civic imperative. Essentially, it is no longer enough to ask citizens to be informed; we must equip them with the tools to scrutinize what they see, to demand evidence, and to discern the difference between fact and fiction.

This means that data literacy must begin early.

Alongside spelling drills and multiplication tables, grade school students must also now learn how to read a chart, interpret and question a statistic, and understand the context behind a headline, a claim, or a narrative. We must now ask our education system to train the next generation to be data literate, data savvy, and keen scrutinizers of information — regardless of source. Institutionalizing these skills now will help protect the next generation from falling prey to algorithmic manipulation and viral falsehoods — both of which are likely to become more prevalent as we enter the age of artificial intelligence.

While incorporating data literacy into the education system will be good for economic progress, it is not only about preparing children for future jobs. It is about also futureproofing our democracy. A population that can question sources, evaluate evidence, and draw independent conclusions is harder to mislead and far more likely to hold power to account. In this way, data literacy becomes a quiet but powerful form of resistance and immunity to propaganda and a safeguard for the democratic process.

If we are to build a society that is resilient, informed, and participatory, we must treat data literacy as essential, not optional. Schools, universities, media institutions, and governments all have a role to play. The sooner we embed this mindset into the fabric of education, the stronger our collective defenses will be not just against misinformation, but against the erosion of reason itself.