Secretary Angara delivers his keynote address at the 2026 National Innovation Day on April 29 at DepEd. | Photo via DepEd
MANILA — Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara is pushing for the adoption of sustainable artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help close long‑standing gaps in the Philippine education system, saying technology must be used “responsibly, equitably, and with clear safeguards” to support both teachers and learners.
Speaking at a recent Department of Education (DepEd) forum on digital transformation, Angara said AI‑powered tools could help address persistent challenges such as teacher workload, learning recovery, and access to quality instructional materials. “We cannot ignore the potential of AI to improve learning outcomes,” Angara said. “But we must ensure that these technologies are used to empower teachers, not replace them, and to expand opportunities for students across the country.”
Angara emphasized that the Philippines must adopt AI solutions that are “sustainable, cost‑efficient, and aligned with our national development goals,” noting that many public schools still lack basic digital infrastructure.
DepEd Eyes AI for Personalized Learning and Administrative Efficiency
DepEd officials said the agency is studying AI applications that can support personalized learning, automate administrative tasks, and improve data‑driven decision‑making. Angara noted that AI‑enabled platforms could help teachers identify learning gaps more quickly and tailor instruction to individual student needs.
“AI can help us analyze student performance at scale and intervene earlier,” Angara said. “This is crucial as we continue to address learning losses that worsened during the pandemic.”
He added that AI‑assisted tools could reduce the administrative burden on teachers, who often spend hours on paperwork instead of classroom instruction. “If we can automate even a portion of these tasks, we give teachers more time to teach — and that is a direct investment in student learning,” he said.
Sustainability and Equity at the Center of DepEd’s AI Strategy
Angara stressed that any AI adoption must be grounded in sustainability, citing the need for long‑term funding, reliable connectivity, and training for educators. “Technology is only as good as the system that supports it,” he said. “We must ensure that schools — especially in far‑flung areas — have the infrastructure and capacity to use AI tools effectively.”
DepEd is also working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and private sector partners to expand digital access. Angara said the agency is committed to ensuring that AI does not widen existing inequalities. “Equity must be at the heart of our digital transformation,” he said. “Every Filipino learner deserves access to quality education, regardless of geography or socioeconomic status.”
Experts Say AI Could Help Modernize Philippine Classrooms
Education technology experts say Angara’s push aligns with global trends, as countries integrate AI into classrooms to support teachers and enhance learning. A 2025 UNESCO report noted that AI can “improve learning outcomes when deployed responsibly and with strong ethical frameworks,” but warned against over‑reliance on automated systems.
Local education advocates welcomed DepEd’s direction but urged the agency to prioritize teacher training. “AI tools are only effective if teachers are confident and well‑supported,” said one policy analyst from the Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), citing the group’s ongoing research on digital readiness in schools.
DepEd to Release AI Roadmap This Year
Angara said DepEd will release a comprehensive AI roadmap later this year, outlining guidelines for ethical use, data privacy, teacher training, and infrastructure requirements. “Our goal is simple: use technology to uplift our teachers and empower our learners,” he said. “AI is not the future — it is the present, and we must prepare our education system accordingly.”
