Department of Education and Microsoft expand AI partnership in schools
Tools to tackle literacy gaps and teach responsible use of artificial intelligence to be deployed nationwide
The Department of Education and Microsoft Philippines are extending their collaboration to roll out artificial intelligence-based tools in schools, aiming to boost literacy rates and build AI literacy among students and teachers.
Reading Progress, an AI-driven application developed by Microsoft, has already been used to assess more than 14,000 learners in 61 schools across Bais and Dumaguete. In Cabanatuan City, all learners in three school districts moved up to higher literacy levels after using the tool, according to the company.
Microsoft’s Learning Accelerators use artificial intelligence to help track student progress and offer personalised coaching in reading, mathematics and communication skills. The company said the technology reduces administrative work for teachers while providing data that helps identify learning gaps.
“Literacy remains one of our biggest national challenges, with many learners still not meeting expected proficiency levels,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara. “Reading Progress gives us a clear starting point to understand where our students are today, and through our partnership with Microsoft, we aim to significantly raise literacy outcomes in the coming years.”
The initiative forms part of the department’s Accelerated Recovery and Advancement of Learning (ARAL) programme, launched in September. Microsoft has begun training educators in 25 school districts and plans to reach 3,000 teachers across 1,500 schools by 2026.
Related reading
- Microsoft updates Secure Development Lifecycle to tackle AI-specific threats
- Xbox app arrives on Arm-based Windows 11 PCs
- VfL Wolfsburg adopts ChatGPT Enterprise in drive for digital efficiency
DepEd also introduced AGAP.AI on 9 January, described by Microsoft as the country’s first national initiative focused on responsible AI use in education. The programme aims to train 1.5 million students, teachers and parents in artificial intelligence literacy and ethics.
At the launch event at Quezon City Science High School, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr tested the Reading Progress tool himself and achieved a score of 98%, Microsoft said.
The Recap
- Microsoft and DepEd expand AI-powered literacy tools nationwide.
- Reading Progress assessed over 14,000 learners in 61 schools.
- AGAP.AI aims to train 1.5 million students, teachers, and parents.
