Latest news with #SonnyAngara
GMA Network
a day ago
- GMA Network
'Free WiFi for All' program to boost internet access for last mile schools
Teachers and students in geographically isolated and underserved public schools are expected to benefit from improved internet connectivity under the government's ongoing "Free WiFi for All" initiative. The Digital Bayanihan Project is a joint effort by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Department of Education (DepEd). The project aims to expand internet access across schools in remote areas as part of the government's digital inclusion efforts for Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) communities. Among the Last Mile Schools that now have internet access are: Radagan Elementary School, Ilocos Norte (Region I) Chanarian Elementary School, Batanes (Region II) Tibagan Elementary School, Bulacan (Region III) Caigdal National High School, Quezon (Region IV-A) Ulanguan Elementary School, Marinduque (Region IV-B) Lipata Integrated School, Camarines Sur (Region V) Bay-ang National High School, Iloilo (Region VI) Salamanca National High School, Cebu (Region VII) Tigbawan Integrated School, Leyte (Region VIII) Pag-asa Elementary School, Tawi-Tawi (Region IX) Dalingap Elementary School, Misamis Occidental (Region X) Malungon Elementary School, North Cotabato (Region XII) Cabawa Elementary School, Surigao del Norte (Region XIII) Datu Saldong Domino Elementary School, Agusan del Norte (Region XIII) Tangalan National High School, Apayao (CAR) Previously having limited or no internet connection, these schools are now included in a growing network of connected schools through infrastructure support under the government's Bagong Pilipinas campaign. 'Marami talagang magagawa kapag may internet na. Pararamihin pa namin ito, especially sa GIDA areas—yung mga isolated at underserved,' said President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. (There's so much more that can be done when there's internet. We will expand this further, especially in GIDA areas—those that are geographically isolated and disadvantaged.) Education Secretary Sonny Angara took part in the same virtual event while visiting Datu Saldong Domino Elementary School in Agusan del Norte. The school, previously without electricity, now runs on solar power provided by the National Electrification Administration (NEA). It also received digital learning tools such as Starlink internet, tablets, smart TVs, electric fans and school supplies from the National Electrification Administration and FDC Misamis Power Corporation. 'This is digital bayanihan in action. Kapag kinokonekta natin ang mga paaralan, kinokonekta rin natin ang mga estudyante sa mas magandang kinabukasan,' said Angara. (This is digital bayanihan in action. When we connect schools, we also connect students to a better future.) DICT Secretary Henry Aguda reiterated the department's goal: to connect all public schools to the internet before the end of 2025. Through the Free Public Internet Access Program, Bayanihan SIM, and continuous infrastructure deployment, coupled with DepEd's digitalization efforts, the initiative seeks to close the digital divide and support learning across all regions. —Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
DepEd: Students should develop critical thinking to fight 'AI fakes'
Education Secretary Sonny Angara stressed the need to strengthen critical thinking skills among students in a bid to fight AI-generated 'fakes' online. 'Magaling talaga ang AI. So, kailangan maingat ang tao ngayon. Kailangang maging mapanuri at iyan ay gusto rin naming ituro sa eskwelahan. Iyan ay bahagi ng tinatawag nating critical thinking,' Angara said in an ambush interview on Wednesday. (AI is really good, so people need to be careful now. They need to be critical, and that is what we want to teach in school. That is part of what we call critical thinking.) The Department of Education (DepEd), meanwhile, is now working on establishing a dedicated AI research center to help Filipino learners understand and navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape. 'Hindi mo dapat bibigyan ng AI kung di pa siya marunong magbasa. Unahin muna ang pagbabasa,' Angara said, explaining that strong foundational skills like reading must come first before deeper technological integration. (You shouldn't give AI to him if he can't read yet.) He added that AI is already being used in schools through platforms like Khanmigo, which streamlines lesson planning for teachers. It is an AI-powered learning assistant developed by Khan Academy and made freely available to public school teachers and learners nationwide. Launched in the Philippines in December 2024, Khanmigo is helping students with math, reading comprehension and even personalized learning pathways. "Yung dati, dalawang araw, isang oras gawanan niya yung buong lesson plan,' he said. 'We (also) gave AI tutor to our teachers also so they can check if what they're teaching is correct. They can check themselves,' Angara added. The DepEd's push comes amid growing concerns about misinformation and disinformation campaigns that leverage realistic AI-generated content. With the school year underway, Angara emphasized that protecting students from digital deception is just as important as ensuring access to classrooms and basic learning resources. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
DepEd eyes using Taguig's scholarship program for other LGUs
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara said that Taguig City's learners' certificate scholarship could be used as a model initiative for other local government units amid their congestion problems. The Taguig Learners' Certificate (TLC) Scholarship gives graduating public elementary school students in the city the opportunity to pursue high school in partner private schools within the locality to decongest public schools and provide a more conducive learning environment. 'Maganda sa Taguig kasi may TLC Scholarship sila. Kapag masikip na 'yung public school, binibigyan ng voucher ang bata para makapili ng private school na malapit,' Angara said in a press release on Tuesday. (It's good here in Taguig because they have the TLC Scholarship. If the public school is already crowded, they will give a voucher to students so that they can choose which private school they can transfer to.) 'Pinag-aaralan na rin namin ito ngayon para sa ibang lugar tulad ng Cavite at Laguna kung saan masisikip na ang mga pampublikong paaralan,' he added. (We are studying if this can be applicable in other areas such as Cavite and Laguna, where some public schools are crowded.) Under the program, the city government shoulders both tuition and miscellaneous fees and a P10,000 allowance for other school-related needs. So far, the program has 61 partner private high schools across the city. Growing numbers Angara visited the Tenement Elementary School during the opening of classes on Monday for School Year 2025-2026. With the enrollment reaching over 7,000 students by 7 a.m. on the first day of School Year 2025–2026, Tenement Elementary School in the city was forced to split some of its classrooms using temporary partitions to accommodate the growing number of learners. According to Dr. Maria Fernandez, School Principal IV of Tenement Elementary School, the school had already recorded 7,222 students from Grade 1 to Grade 6 by early morning, and the number is expected to increase. Meanwhile, Angara also commended Taguig's collaborative approach to education, highlighting the support of local officials and private sector partners. 'Here in Taguig, very helpful ang local government, ang legislators, even private partners. Sana ganoon sa lahat ng dako ng bansa (I wish this could be applicable in other parts of the country.),' he said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Angara eyes public-private partnership to fast-track building 105,000 classrooms
As classes formally resumed across the country on Monday, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the Department of Education (DepEd) may pursue a proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to fast-track the construction of 105,000 classrooms. In an ambush interview on the first day of School Year 2025–2026, Angara acknowledged the long-standing infrastructure gap plaguing Philippine public schools. He said the DepEd is pushing for a PPP deal worth billions of pesos to address this crisis. 'Uutangin 'yan pero 10 years to pay,' Angara said. (We will borrow money for it but 10 years to pay.) "Dumadaan na siya sa NEDA-ICC. May mga approvals 'yan, i-review nila ang proposal namin. Pero sa tingin namin, 'pag 'di natin ginawa 'yan, papag-iiwanan tayo," he added. (It is now being studied by NEDA-ICC. There are approvals needed; they will review our proposa. But in our opinion, if we do not do that, we will be left behind.) Angara earlier said the classroom backlog nationwide stands at 165,000. The proposed PPP comes in response to a previous government report that it may take up to 55 years to close the classroom backlog under current construction and budget rates. With more than 27 million learners expected this year, overcrowding remains a critical issue, especially in urban areas like the National Capital Region and Region IV-A, which Angara identified as high-priority zones for new school construction. The urgent need for classrooms was made more visible this week when a fire gutted one of the buildings of San Francisco High School in Quezon City. As a result, hundreds of students began the school year inside a covered court, with classes split into shortened morning and afternoon sessions. —KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- GMA Network
Classes open for SY 2025–2026 as DepEd braces for 27 million enrollees
Pupils line up as they are excited to return to school for the School Year 2025-2026 at Aurora Quezon Elementary School in San Andres, Manila, on Monday, June 16, 2025. DANNY PATA Schools across the country reopened on Monday, June 16, marking the official start of School Year 2025–2026 with the Department of Education (DepEd) expecting around 27 million enrollees from preschool to senior high school. "All systems go po ang lahat sa pagbubukas ng ating klase," DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said in a Viber message. (All systems are go for the opening of classes.) As millions of students trooped back to classrooms, the country's education system continues to grapple with long-standing challenges—including learning gaps, infrastructure backlogs, and overcrowded facilities. One of the most urgent problems remains the massive shortage of classrooms, which currently stands at 165,000 nationwide. Education officials earlier admitted that, at the current rate of construction, it could take up to 55 years to completely eliminate the backlog. To help decongest packed schools, DepEd is exploring limited hybrid learning arrangements, particularly for senior high school students in overcrowded or high-density locations. The department also continues to modernize classrooms through the delivery of smart TVs, laptops, and updated textbooks, in line with the government's push for digital education. Meanwhile, DepEd clarified its policy on cellphones in the classroom ahead of the school opening. While the general rule discourages phone use during class hours, exceptions are made when gadgets are used under teacher supervision for learning-enhancing activities. DepEd officials said that despite the challenges, the department remains focused on improving learning outcomes and ensuring safe and inclusive education for all. — BM, GMA Integrated News
