DepEd, IT-BPM leaders discuss Philippine education

Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara and IT-BPM leaders have discussed Philippine education and how it is evolving with artificial intelligence or AI.

Their discussion was part of the 16th International IT-BPM Summit at Okada Manila which kicked off on Wednesday, October 2.

The DepEd chief started the event’s education segment by outlining the government’s efforts to improve Philippine education.

Then, he joined a panel with four Information Technology-Business Process Management leaders to elaborate on the state of education in the country.

Philippine education issues

Angara opened his statement with three issues: the classroom shortage, lack of nutrition for students, and teacher welfare.

READ: PH IT-BPM industry to exceed job, revenue goals – IBPAP chief

He said that basic education needs 150,000 classrooms and that the kindergarten community feeding program, which dates back to 2012, previously, lasted for 60 days and then expanded to 120 days.

The Education secretary also emphasized the need for better teacher welfare and incentives as they’re more likely to work here than in other countries like the United States. 

“Supporting teachers is our top priority,” Angara stressed.

Angara said the DepEd donated 1,125 computers to 85 schools in Metro Manila and Cordillera Administrative Region as well as in Regions I, II, III, IV-A, and V.

READ: DepEd Cebu and Globe ink landmark partnership to build new cell sites

He likewise said that DepEd was one of the first responders to the enhanced Work Immersion Program for Senior High School learners. 

Moreover, Angara said that the agency has been partnering with more digital education firms like Canva and Khan Academy to prepare Philippine education for the AI revolution.

How can it adapt to the global tech revolution?

The DepEd secretary joined a discussion with the following industry leaders:

• Fred Ayala, iPeople President
• Rahul Chawla, Partner & Managing Director of AON
• Fleurette Navarro, Chief People Officer of iQor
• Geraldine-Acuna Sunshine, President and CEO of Khan Academy PH

Microsourcing PH CEO Haidee Enriquez serves as the moderator of the discussion, which she began by asking Ayala about the issues hounding Philippine education.

READ: Ecop sounds alarm on sad state of PH education

Ayala’s response skipped that topic as he instead shared four ways the country could improve Filipino learning.

According to him, the National Education and Development Plan, Large-scale Upskilling Fund, and Private-Public Partnerships in education require the government’s help.

On the other hand, he noted, the business leaders who attended the event may help provide for low-cost educational technologies.

The panelists also discussed the ongoing challenges in the country’s education system. Angara said 60 percent of Filipino schools are connected to the Internet, however, “we are talking about, one or two computers in the Principal’s office.”

Navarro, meanwhile, emphasized that “‘speed to proficiency is very slow,” and that there is a lack of communication and technology skills among Filipino students.

“Leadership skills are often forgotten. When you hire more agents, you need more supervisors and managers. Guess what? That is also a problem.”

That is why the panelists stressed the value of online learning platforms like Khan Academy to provide free learning anytime and anywhere. 

These apps let students and teachers learn from educators worldwide, allowing them to upskill significantly.

Secretary Angara addressed the question regarding teachers criticizing the increased workload due to recent changes. 

He reiterated that these are necessary to give students more options and less of a need for upskilling.