Zion Mhar Kaezer Corpuz

The Department of Education (DepEd) on July 16, 2025, reports its plans for educational reforms and digital innovations as the Philippines ranks 74th of 177 countries globally in the Global Education Futures Readiness Index (GEFRI) 2025.

Photo Courtesy of Reuters/Eloisa Lopez.

The Philippines is among the countries that are “emerging and with partial readiness,” having garnered a score of 56.32 out of 100 in the GEFRI.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara initiated the reforms aimed at keeping up with global standards in terms of education.

“Pinapaganda natin ang sistema para maging mas maayos, mas makabago, at mas kapaki-pakinabang sa mga guro, magulang, at bata. Hindi ito madali, pero kailangang simulan at sabay-sabay nating gawin,” Angara explained.

To support the cause, DepEd established the Education Center for Artificial Intelligence Research (ECAIR), an initiative to incorporate AI and data science in education-related services.

Among the current developments from ECAIR are the following: SIGLA, an application that quickly measures the height and weight of students; TALINO, a geospatial mapping tool used in the Adopt-a-School Program; and DUNONG, an initiative that aids in the processing of examination data for the school head.

Moreover, DepEd is enhancing and developing the following projects: SALIKSeek, a chatbot that increases the efficiency of data access for DepEd members; SABAY, a program that helps seek the early diagnosis of cognitive risks of children; and LIGTAS, which identifies the geohazards in and around the vicinity of the schools.

Due to the incorporation of AI tools in these programs, DepEd assures the strict implementation of the international standard AI Governance Framework to ensure a responsible and transparent use of the innovations.

DepEd urges the collaboration of teachers, parents, the Local Government Unit (LGU), private sectors, and communities to participate in the reforms, highlighting that the long-term effects of the reforms will not be possible without cooperation.