DepEd prepares master plan to integrate AI in schools
The Department of Education is drawing up a master plan to train teachers for AI implementation in schools, according to DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara.
In an interview with The Philippine STAR's Truth on the Line on Monday, Aug. 3, Angara said that the master plan "involves all our teachers being conversant with AI. And once they are conversant, they will be able to teach it."
He said this direction is aligned with President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.'s mandate to boost Filipino students' skills in emerging technologies.
"Sabi nga ni Pangulo sa kanyang SONA, 1.8 million na sa ating mga students and teachers have learned the basics of AI," Angara said.
In carrying out its master plan, DepEd is relying on free or discounted AI tools provided by a few foundations and private companies, including Khan Academy, Gokongwei Brothers, and the Ayala Foundation, according to Angara.
"Right now, Khan Academy is in almost 3,000 schools. Two years ago, they were only in 30 schools. They gave us their AI for free for teachers," he added.
Khan Academy is an online global learning platform and nonprofit organization that provides free instructional videos, interactive exercises, and personalized learning tools tackling basic subjects for all ages, according to its website.
But there has been some pushback from teachers, said Angara.
"Minsan, 'yung teacher, ayaw magpabantay. Ayaw buksan 'yung AI kasi 'pag binuksan mo na 'yung AI, namo-monitor mo 'yung use ng teacher," he said.
Angara emphasized the teacher's role in the classroom is changing.
"The role of the teacher has to evolve. Unlike before, where parang oracle 'yung teacher, lahat ng information, lahat ng kaalaman dumadaan sa kanya," Angara said.
"Ngayon, hindi na ganyan ang mundo. Everything humanity knows is practically online already. So the teacher is just a facilitator or a gatekeeper, and she just points these students to where the knowledge can be found," he added.
Angara explained teachers' resistance to AI use in the classroom, saying, "they feel they're losing control in a way." He said he believes teachers should instead see these emerging technologies as "life-enhancing."
