The Global Education Futures Readiness Index has ranked the Philippines 74th out of 177 countries, its score of 56.32 out of 100 placing it under the category of “emerging and partial readiness,” according to the Department of Education.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the mid-tier ranking indicates continuing structural challenges in governance, innovation, infrastructure, and access to quality education, but he assured the public that the DepEd continues to accelerate long-term reforms to build a future-ready education system.
“We are trying to improve the system so that it will be better, innovative, and more helpful to our teachers, parents, and students. This is not easy but we need to start it and do it collectively,” he said.
To prepare for future challenges and opportunities, the DepEd has established the Education Center for Artificial Intelligence Research (ECAIR), the first of its kind in the Philippine education sector.
Among the solutions being developed under ECAIR are SIGLA, a mobile app that automates the growth monitoring of learners; TALINO, a geospatial mapping tool to support private sector involvement through the Adopt-a-School Program; and DUNONG, a dashboard that processes school leadership exam data to assist in succession planning.
These projects are guided by an AI governance framework based on international standards to ensure the responsible, ethical, and transparent use of emerging technologies.
In line with workforce needs, the DepEd has also to restructure the Senior High School curriculum in collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education, and Department of Labor and Employment.
The DepEd certainly has a lot on its plate, and stuck in a learning crisis and being so far behind, it can be tempting to come up with too many forward looking solutions, but forgetting the basics. Hopefully the people in charge have what it takes to solve the problems of the past, survive the present, and maybe even prepare a better future for Philippine education.*
