Manila: Efforts to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) in public schools in the Philippines will help reduce teachers' workload, the Department of Education (DepEd) stated. This initiative, spotlighted by the department, aims to improve the efficiency of educators by saving millions of hours, thus allowing them to focus more on teaching.
According to Philippines News Agency, Elmo Domino Jose, the Governance and Delivery Lead at DepEd's Education Center for AI Research (ECAIR), emphasized the significance of AI integration. "In a system serving over 24 million learners, even a 1 percent gain in efficiency has a massive impact on our country's education system," he noted. Jose highlighted that integrating AI into DepEd's operations is crucial in saving time for teachers, enhancing the educational experience for learners.
ECAIR presented its AI scaling framework at the AI Impact Summit held at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Center in India from February 16-21. During the summit, they showcased systems like SIGLA and SABAY, which provide administrative and academic support to teachers. SIGLA, an automated health monitoring and reporting system, benefited around 34,000 educators, saving an estimated 60,000 hours annually. SABAY, an AI-backed online triage system, supports 48,000 teachers working with early-grade learners.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara underscored the importance of a responsible approach to AI integration to ensure benefits across the educational sector. "At DepEd, we are deliberate about building AI that strengthens public institutions, protects our learners, and delivers measurable results at scale," Angara stated. He emphasized ECAIR's role in moving beyond experimentation toward responsible transformation of the education system.
Angara also welcomed the launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Center for Research and Innovation (NAICRI), an institutional platform for advancing AI research, shared computing infrastructure, and innovation across priority sectors. He noted that this platform complements ongoing reforms in workforce development, digital infrastructure, and governance.
The DepEd is already implementing several AI-related initiatives, including Project TALINO, Project DUNONG, and Project SALIKSEEK. Project TALINO is a digital mapping system that provides real-time insights into school needs, enhancing data-informed planning and private sector engagement. Project DUNONG automates the National Qualifying Examination for School Heads, improving efficiency and accuracy in leadership selection. Meanwhile, Project SALIKSEEK is a generative AI-powered quick-response tool that allows DepEd personnel to access structured education data swiftly.
