Future-Ready EducAItion: PBBM, Angara launch AI Program to support teachers, learners

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QUEZON CITY, 9 January 2026 — Learners, teachers, parents, and school leaders will be guided and upskilled on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in basic education, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Friday led the launch of the Accelerating Governance and Adaptive Pedagogy through Artificial Intelligence (Project AGAP.AI). 

The government’s flagship initiative places education stakeholders at the center of the country’s AI transition, providing them with clear frameworks, training, and safeguards to ensure that artificial intelligence strengthens teaching, school governance, and learning outcomes amid rapid technological change. Project AGAP.AI will be implemented in phases in 2026.

“In our language, Agapay means to support or to bridge. This is what we are trying to do today, standing next to our people and bridging the gap between technology and education,” President Marcos said.

Sec. Angara said Project AGAP.AI is anchored on a clear national framework aligned with the Bagong Pilipinas agenda and the Quality Basic Education Development Plan (QBEDP).

“Isang malinaw na framework, na nakaangkla sa Bagong Pilipinas at sa Quality Basic Education Development Plan. Para palakasin ang pagtuturo, pagandahin ang pamamahala, at maghatid ng mas mahusay na resulta sa buong education system,” Angara said. “Makatao. Makaguro. Makabata. This is how we build a future-ready Philippines. And a future-ready ASEAN.”

A core feature of Project AGAP.AI is large-scale capacity-building. Throughout 2026, DepEd will roll out a nationwide AI training program, branded as AI Ready ASEAN Philippines, designed for teachers, learners, and parents, targeted to reach up to 1.5 million participants nationwide, including 1.05 million learners, 300,000 teachers, and 150,000 parents. The training program is being implemented alongside local partner implementers such as Limitless Lab Organization, SmartCitiesPH, Inc., Break the Fake Movement, CGPH Incorporated, and ASEAN Youth Organization.

DepEd said the initiative is funded by the ASEAN Foundation and powered by Google.org. The training introduces AI in plain language, covering fundamentals, practical classroom use, ethics and data privacy, and how to address risks such as misinformation.  

The Department also signed a Memorandum of Agreement with ASEAN Foundation during the launch to formalize its partnership to promote responsible and inclusive AI literacy in the country.

To ensure clear guardrails, DepEd is set to release its Foundational Guidelines on the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Basic Education. The guidelines will outline standards on responsible use, learner protection, inclusivity, and ethical deployment of AI tools in schools.

 

Curriculum reforms are also underway. DepEd plans to integrate AI concepts into the basic education curriculum to strengthen learners’ AI literacy and computational thinking. Complementing this, AI-focused in-service training modules for teachers are scheduled for rollout by the second quarter of 2026 to support classroom implementation.

The initiative is being implemented with the support of both international and local partners. DepEd is working with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Responsible AI for Social Empowerment & Education (MIT RAISE) and the Day of AI Initiative on curriculum integration and teacher training.

At the system level, DepEd will pilot emerging AI-powered tools in 2026 to support teaching, assessment, and school management, developed by the Education Center for AI Research (ECAIR), with the goal of strengthening data-driven and evidence-based decision-making across the education system. Existing AI-powered platforms already in use will also be expanded, subject to national standards on reliability, fairness, and data privacy.  

Project AGAP.AI aligns with the ASEAN Vision 2045, and the Marcos administration’s broader digital transformation agenda, with education positioned as a critical foundation for preparing Filipinos to navigate an increasingly AI-driven economy.

Angara: Classroom observation reforms underway to ease pressure on teachers

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MAKATI CITY, 9 January 2026 - The Department of Education (DepEd) recognizes the concerns raised by teachers regarding classroom observation, as Education Secretary Sonny Angara affirms that their welfare remains a priority. 

At this time, the Department is not moving toward a complete suspension of classroom observation. When conducted properly, humanely, and with a clear purpose, classroom observation will remain an important tool for improving teaching quality and learner outcomes.

DepEd also clarified that classroom observation is not meant to be high-stakes or punitive. It is intended to be formative, supportive, and collaborative—conducted within schools and among peers—to strengthen a culture of teamwork and shared learning.

Rather than a blanket suspension, the Department is drafting new guidelines to shift away from traditional, high-stakes practices toward more modern, teacher-centered approaches. 

These include full classroom observations when appropriate; short and focused 5- to 10-minute walkthrough observations; instructional rounds; and reflective, data-informed feedback mechanisms designed to support teachers without adding unnecessary pressure. 

Secretary Angara said the reforms are consistent with President Marcos’ directive to protect and support teachers. 

“Hindi namin sinasuspinde ang classroom observation dahil mahalaga ito sa teaching quality at learner outcomes. Ang binabago namin ay ang sistema—mula high-stakes, papunta sa mas makatao at supportive na approaches. Malinaw ang bilin ng Pangulo: alagaan ang ating mga guro,” Angara said. 

“Nagpapasalamat kami kay Teacher Agnes Buenaflor at sa lahat ng ating mga guro. Malinaw ang bilin ng Pangulo: alagaan ang ating mga teachers,” he added. 

These reforms aim to ensure that classroom observation remains purposeful and constructive while upholding professional standards and safeguarding the well-being of teachers. The Department continues to welcome feedback as it refines its policies in support of better teaching and better learning for all. 

Expanded mental health services to better support students in schools, with parents as partners

 

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MAKATI CITY, 12 January 2026 — The Department of Education (DepEd) is expanding school-based mental health and anti-bullying support by formally involving parents, guardians, and caregivers as partners in learner protection through the implementation of the Kaagapay Program, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push to strengthen learner well-being and child protection in public schools. 

Under the DepEd Memorandum No. 002, s. 2026, the Kaagapay program is tapping parents and guardians as co-educators who help reinforce values formation, positive discipline, and learner well-being at home, in direct support of classroom instruction and school-based guidance programs.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the reform strengthens the support system around learners by bringing families into the process.

“Bilang magulang din, alam natin kung gaano kabigat na responsibilidad ang pag-aalaga at paggabay sa bata. Kaya kapag magkakasama ang pamilya at paaralan sa paghubog ng asal at pag-unawa sa pinagdadaanan ng anak, mas napapangalagaan ang learners at mas gumagaan ang trabaho ng mga guro,” Angara said.  

With an allocation of Php100 million nationwide, Kaagapay is being implemented through parent engagement sessions and advocacy campaigns designed to translate school policies into practical, everyday actions within families. These sessions use participatory and experiential methods such as sharing of best practices, guided reflection, and action planning, enabling parents to better understand learner behavior, socio-emotional needs, and the early signs of bullying or distress.

The sessions are structured to help parents situate their role within DepEd’s curriculum and learner development priorities before moving into learning discussions on socio-emotional and values support, positive discipline, bullying awareness, and home–school–community partnership. Parents are encouraged to reflect on their own family contexts and develop simple home action plans that align with school objectives, with the goal of sustaining positive practices beyond the sessions.

To ensure wider participation, schools may conduct face-to-face, modular, and asynchronous delivery modes, taking into account parents’ schedules, backgrounds, and circumstances. The program is open to all parents and caregivers of learners in public elementary and secondary schools and is designed to ensure representation across different family structures and socioeconomic backgrounds. Participation is voluntary, and safeguards are in place to protect privacy and prevent stigma  

Implementation of the Kaagapay Program is already underway, with coordination and engagement activities continuing within School Year 2025–2026 through schools division offices.

The rollout of Kaagapay coincides with broader government investments in learner well-being, including a Php2.9-billion allocation for the School-Based Mental Health Program. The allocation supports the implementation of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act (Republic Act No. 12080), which mandates the strengthening of school-based mental health services, including suicide prevention in schools.

With Kaagapay, DepEd is strengthening learner protection and well-being by ensuring that parents are not bystanders but active partners in creating safe, supportive, and inclusive school environments.