July 01, 2025 – The Division of Training (DepEd) and Microsoft proceed to deepen their collaboration to enhance literacy outcomes within the Philippines, leveraging synthetic intelligence (AI) instruments to empower educators and learners. This rising partnership displays a shared dedication to democratize AI for the collective advantage of the schooling ecosystem, aligning with Secretary Sonny Angara’s five-point schooling agenda. 

Most just lately, on June 18, college students and academics gathered for “Learn and Lead: An AI-powered Literacy Day” at Ilugin Elementary College in Pasig Metropolis. The occasion featured reside demonstrations of Studying Progress and Studying Coach, with college students from grades 4 to six collaborating in guided studying periods. Lecturers and schooling specialists showcased how the instruments personalize instruction and cut back administrative workload. Jessica Leaño, the varsity’s ICT coordinator, famous that the instruments helped ten struggling readers develop into proficient and considerably diminished the time wanted to generate literacy experiences. 
 
The occasion was attended by key representatives from DepEd and different authorities workplaces, together with Assistant Secretary Marcelino Veloso III, Assistant Secretary Carmela Oracion, and Congressman Roman Romulo, who’s the co-chair of the Second Congressional Fee on Training (EDCOM 2). All expressed robust assist for the initiative and its potential to rework literacy outcomes nationwide.  

Assistant Secretary Veloso shared, “Studying has formed my journey—from legislation and ICT to public service. Aligned with the President’s name to make digitalization a regular in our faculties, we’re exploring instruments like Studying Progress that empower each learners and educators. Our dedication is obvious: scale what works, so each Filipino little one can thrive in a quickly altering world.” 

Assistant Secretary Carmela Oracion, who’s spearheading the literacy initiative, emphasised the far-reaching influence of those efforts: “Literacy is the muse upon which all studying rests, and by harnessing AI-powered instruments, we equip our academics and college students with the assets they should thrive in a digital period. Our purpose is to make sure that each learner, no matter background, has the chance to develop into a assured reader and lifelong learner. Collaboration with companions like Microsoft is vital to realizing this imaginative and prescient and remodeling literacy throughout the nation.” 

Dad and mom in attendance expressed robust appreciation for the Studying Progress initiative, noting that it empowers their youngsters to develop into extra assured, unbiased readers each at college and at dwelling, whereas additionally permitting households to play a extra energetic and supportive function of their youngsters’s literacy improvement. 

In Cabanatuan, the READExcel pilot program was launched in three faculties—Macatbong Built-in College, PG Crisostomo Built-in College, and LD Renon Built-in College. The initiative aimed to enhance studying proficiency and considerably diminished the variety of college students battling studying. Pre-test outcomes confirmed 14 college students within the struggling class, which dropped to zero after the intervention. Beneficial properties have been attributed to constant studying apply, guardian assist, and using tutorial movies. Lecturers and fogeys noticed elevated confidence and motivation amongst learners. 

In Bais Metropolis, academics have been utilizing Microsoft’s Studying Progress software to streamline studying assessments and higher assist college students. What beforehand took two full days to evaluate now takes simply two hours—liberating up time for lesson planning and customized assist. Greater than 14,000 learners throughout 60 faculties have benefited from the software, which permits college students to apply studying independently whereas giving academics real-time suggestions on fluency, pronunciation, and pacing. Venus Marie Catubay, an English instructor at Bais Metropolis South Central College, shared how the software helped her determine particular areas for intervention and monitor scholar development extra successfully. 

Wanting forward, the partnership goals to align Studying Progress with DepEd’s Nationwide Studying Program tied to the Philippine Casual Studying Stock (PHIL-IRI) objectives. Along with trade companions, DepEd and Microsoft will work to scale this system to extra faculties nationwide and strengthen instructor capability by way of digital fluency and modern use of AI within the classroom. 

“That is just the start,” mentioned Peter Maquera, Microsoft Philippines CEO. “By combining know-how with the fervour of Filipino educators, we will shut the literacy hole and empower each learner to succeed.” 

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