Andrie Hans Bayon

In its pursuit of promoting inclusive education, the Department of Education (DepEd) on April 28 rolled out Artificial Intelligence initiatives aimed at improving support for Learners with Disabilities (LWD) in the country.

Photo Courtesy of Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism.

The initiative will include the expansion of access to Special Education (SPED) resources by converting SPED centers to advanced Inclusive Learning Resource Centers (ILRC), with plans to establish virtual and satellite ILRCs.

The department will also develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI)- powered tool to detect early disability risks. 

According to DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, these initiatives will result in equal access to quality education and opportunities for LWDs.

“The Department is fully committed to harnessing technology not only for instruction but also for decision-making, resource planning, and inclusive service delivery,” Angara said on Tuesday.

Angara also reiterated that the redevelopment of Alternative Delivery Modes (ADM) and Alternative Learning System is already in progress and anchored to better capacity-building for educators, robust policy monitoring, and integrating assistive technology and AI into classrooms.

Additionally, the development of an AI tool labeled Project SABAY (Screening using AI-Based Assistance for Young children) by DepEd-Education Center for AI Research (ECAIR) is currently underway.

Angara added that this AI project intends to modernize the early identification process for children potentially at risk of disabilities, supporting the crucial Child Find System mandated by Republic Act No. 1165. 

“Through the SABAY Project, we affirm our mission that every Filipino child, regardless of ability, deserves timely support and access to quality education. We are making sure that learners with disabilities are no longer left behind,” Angara said.

ECAIR Managing Director Erika Legara also said that they are designing ways to automate parts of the screening process to help make school-level decision-making more efficient. 

Project SABAY, a major advancement of the department, is already in its early stage with input taken from education experts, health professionals and SPED practitioners.

In December last year, it can be recounted that Senator Erwin Gatchalian scolded the Department of Education officials amidst the delay with the procurement of the Republic Act 11650.