Latest news with #SonnyAngara
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
DepEd, DOTr, UK to build 'Education City' in Taguig
The Department of Education (DepEd), together with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the United Kingdom government, has launched a major infrastructure initiative aimed at making schools more accessible through smart transit planning and climate-resilient development. The project, called the Senate-DepEd (SEED) Transit-Oriented Development Project, aims to ease student commutes while reshaping public education spaces through the creation of Education City—a future-ready, 14-hectare complex to rise in Taguig City. 'This partnership ensures that our learners and educators will also directly benefit from a well-planned, green, and safe environment that ultimately contributes to the public education objectives,' said Education Secretary Sonny Angara. Planned at the junction of two major railway lines—the North-South Commuter Railway and the Metro Manila Subway Project—Education City will host green school buildings, open spaces, a central transport hub, teacher accommodation, and facilities for training and events. The development will also include commercial and residential areas designed to be walkable, connected, and sustainable. By integrating schools within well-connected communities, the SEED Project addresses long-standing barriers to access, especially for students in Metro Manila who face long and unsafe daily commutes. DepEd also expects the project to generate long-term revenues that could help fund new classrooms and support digital education programs nationwide. 'The UK is proud to bring in British expertise and innovation to pioneer a TOD where people can live, learn, work, and thrive — connected by efficient transport systems, designed with people at the heart, and guided by principles of sustainability and resilience,' said British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Beaufils. A working group will oversee the implementation of the project's second phase, which involves technical studies and the development of a formal proposal to be submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for approval. Moreover, the initiative is backed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office through its Green Cities and Infrastructure Programme. It draws inspiration from London's Elizabeth Line and will be developed in collaboration with British experts, including Crossrail International. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
15-07-2025
- GMA Network
PH ranks 74th in global index; DepEd ramps up education reforms
The Department of Education (DepEd) reaffirmed its commitment to implement long-term education reforms and digital transformation in response to the Philippines' latest placement in the Global Education Futures Readiness Index (GEFRI). The country ranked 74th out of 177 nations, scoring 56.32 out of 100 and was categorized under 'emerging and partial readiness.' The index measures how well education systems are prepared to meet future challenges, citing issues such as governance, infrastructure, innovation, and equitable access. Education Secretary Sonny Angara said DepEd is focused on improving the system for both learners and educators. '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,' he said. (We are improving the system so that it becomes more efficient, modern, and beneficial for teachers, parents, and children. This is not easy, but it must start now, and we must do it together.) Among its initiatives is the creation of the Education Center for Artificial Intelligence Research (ECAIR), which aims to use AI and data science to address long-standing challenges in planning, management, and instruction. Pilot projects include: SIGLA – a mobile app to monitor student growth; TALINO – a mapping tool for tracking private sector involvement; DUNONG – a dashboard analyzing school leadership assessments; SALIKSeek – an internal chatbot for faster access to education data; SABAY and LIGTAS – tools for cognitive risk screening and geohazard monitoring, respectively. DepEd said all AI initiatives are guided by an AI Governance Framework based on international standards to ensure ethical and responsible implementation. The Department is also introducing Project Bukas, an open data initiative that aims to make information on enrollment, resources, and learning outcomes accessible to communities. The project seeks to promote transparency and improve local participation in education delivery. In terms of curriculum reform, DepEd has worked with TESDA, CHED, and DOLE to revise the Senior High School (SHS) program. Technical-vocational qualifications are now being integrated into SHS tracks, and changes in hiring policies now allow SHS graduates to apply for entry-level civil service jobs. The DepEd is also scaling up digital access through programs like PSIP Connect, which provides solar power, satellite internet, and devices to underserved schools, and the Bayanihan SIM Program, which offers connectivity support to students and teachers in remote areas. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
10-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Catholic schools favor reform over repealing SHS program
Catholic schools in the country have opposed the proposal to remove senior high school (SHS) from the K to 12 program, calling the move 'untimely' and 'dangerously shortsighted.' In a statement, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) and the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Catholic Education (ECCE) said in a joint statement the proposed measure threatens the 'vision rooted in equity, global parity, and holistic learner development.' "Reform, not repeal, is the only rational and just way forward,' the groups said. 'Flaws in execution should not be mistaken for flaws in the framework,' the groups added. The CEAP and ECCE proposed that instead of abolishing the program, the government should expand and strengthen the SHS Voucher Program so that more learners could enroll in senior high school. To address the graduates' employment readiness, CEAP said curriculum tracks should be aligned to market demands by strengthening partnerships between schools and the industry. The regional centers of excellence should also guide struggling schools by upskilling SHS teachers and reforming a job-relevant curriculum. 'Rather than breaking what is still being built, the government should commit to a full review of SHS implementation and institute reforms where necessary without sacrificing its gains,' CEAP said. 'Reverting to a 10-year cycle would dismantle existing structures, waste public and private investment, and once again send Filipino students into college or the workforce underprepared,' it added. Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada has filed a measure seeking to rationalize the basic education system by removing the SHS, as it 'still has not fully achieved its goal' to produce skilled and job-ready graduates 12 years after the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013 was enacted into law. Education Secretary Sonny Angara earlier acknowledged the lapses in the implementation of SHS but said it is up to the Congress to continue to abolish the program. 'Hindi maganda ang naging implementation nitong nakaraang dekada. Masyadong marami ang subjects at nakahon masyado ang mga bata. Hindi sila nakakapili ng subject/s,' Angara said in a statement. (The SHS' implementation in the last decade has not been good. There were too many subjects and the learners were constrained. They were not able to choose subject/s.) — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
08-07-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
DepEd, DOH expand healthy learning program to 1,500 public schools
More than 1,500 public schools across the Philippines are now implementing health-promoting policies and practices under the Department of Education's (DepEd) Healthy Learning Institutions (HLI) program—a nationwide initiative in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and other stakeholders to make schools safer, healthier, and more inclusive for learners. The HLI initiative, launched in 2022, supports schools in improving sanitation facilities, strengthening nutrition and mental health services, and enhancing learner well-being. Backed by a joint administrative order signed by seven agencies, including DepEd, DOH, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and the Legal Education Board (LEB), the program brings to life the Universal Health Care Act's vision of schools as healthy settings for children and adolescents. A major focus of the initiative has been on so-called 'Last Mile Schools,' or institutions in geographically isolated or underserved communities. According to the education department, over 1,300 of the participating schools fall under this category, receiving direct support for improvements ranging from hygiene facilities to health training. One such school is Taguiporo Elementary School in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. Previously struggling with poor sanitation and limited services, it has since been recognized as one of the 38 Outstanding Last Mile Schools after receiving a P100,000 grant. The funds were used to build gender-sensitive, PWD-accessible toilets; expand feeding and dental programs; and start a backyard garden that now feeds students and their families. The HLI program is structured around six pillars of school health and well-being, assessed using a self-appraisal system. In 2024, DepEd launched a three-tier recognition framework certifying schools as Satisfactory, Very Satisfactory, or Outstanding based on compliance with health standards developed with WHO guidance and local policy. To further strengthen implementation, national onboarding sessions for school heads and health officers are scheduled for July 14–15. DepEd is also rolling out a School Self-Appraisal Checklist and a shared 'Map of Materials' to support health promotion in campuses. Although the program is currently operating under interim guidelines, DepEd is preparing a department order to institutionalize the HLI framework. This upcoming policy will embed the star-rating system into the agency's Learner Support Framework and make health promotion a sustained part of school operations. 'Hindi lang dapat ligtas sa sakuna ang paaralan. Dapat ligtas din sa gutom, sa sakit, at sa kawalan ng suporta,' said Education Secretary Sonny Angara. (Schools should not only be safe from disasters but also free from hunger, illness, and lack of support.) —VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
07-07-2025
- GMA Network
DepEd to revise curriculum to include responsible AI use — Angara
To better prepare Filipino learners and educators for the fast-evolving digital landscape, Education Secretary Sonny Angara has announced that the agency is set to revise the national curriculum to include training on artificial intelligence use. 'Soon, babaguhin na rin natin 'yung ating curriculum para matutong gumamit ng A.I. ang mga bata at matutong gumamit ng A.I. 'yung mga guro natin. 'Yan ang pagbabagong ina-anticipate natin sa darating na mga taon,' said Angara. (Soon, we will revise the curriculum so that students and teachers alike can learn how to use A.I. This is a change we anticipate in the coming years.) This move comes amid growing use of AI tools by students — some in secret — and educators alike. In a report by Vonne Aquino on Unang Balita, a college sophomore referred to as 'John' admitted to discreetly using AI to complete assignments. 'Nagse-search po ako ng topic tapos, doon po is kinukuha ko po 'yung text (I search for a topic and then copy the text from there.),' he said. To avoid detection, he mixes the AI-generated content with his own ideas. 'Hinahaluan ko ng konting sariling opinion ko po (I add a bit of my own opinion to it),' he added. On the other hand, educators, like Daisy Marasigan, a senior high school teacher in Pagbilao, Quezon, are using AI more openly and proactively. 'I think it's high time — especially in the 21st century — na kailangan na nating i-embrace ang A.I., but of course there is caution,' she said. (I think it's high time — especially in the 21st century — that we embrace A.I., but of course with caution.) She has even posted tutorials on social media about using AI to create lesson plans. Despite these innovations, experts are warning about the risks of overreliance. A recent MIT study suggests that using AI to write essays may contribute to 'cognitive debt' — a reduced effort to think critically — potentially weakening a student's ability to learn independently. The findings, however, are not yet peer-reviewed and remain inconclusive. Meanwhile, Dr. Jhennie Villar, dean and program chairperson at a local university, believes AI has already changed Philippine education — but with limits. 'Karaniwan, ginagamit ito bilang gabay pero hindi bilang sagot sa kabuuan kasi kailangan pa rin natin ng critical thinking, kailangan pa rin natin na mag-aral… (Usually, it's used as a guide, not as the entire answer, because we still need critical thinking — we still need to study),' she said. She said in their university, AI-generated content is limited to 15% of undergraduate theses and research papers. Detection tools are also in place to prevent misuse. Meanwhile, teacher's group Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) acknowledged that cellphones and tablets are already part of daily classroom realities, especially in public schools where traditional learning materials are lacking. ACT National Capital Region president Ruby Bernardo explained that teachers and students alike turn to digital devices to access supplemental learning content such as YouTube videos and online modules. AI tools, now increasingly accessible to both students and teachers, can help in tasks like translation and cultural research, according to Bernardo. She, however, noted the challenge lies in guiding students on how to use them responsibly. —Sherylin Untalan/AOL, GMA Integrated News
