AI Drives Major Improvements in Education Data, Says DepEd Chief

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. Education Secretary Sonny Angara (left) addresses Department of Education (DepEd) officials and partners during the year-end event of the Education Center for Artificial Intelligence Research (ECAIR) in Quezon City on Friday (Dec. 19, 2025). Angara highlighted the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) in improving data within the education sector. (Photo courtesy of DepEd)

 AI Drives Major Improvements in Education Data, Says DepEd Chief

MANILA — The use of artificial intelligence has led to a marked improvement in education data across the Department of Education, according to Education Secretary Sonny Angara.

In a statement released Friday, Angara cited significant gains nearly a year after DepEd launched the Education Center for Artificial Intelligence Research, or ECAIR, a major reform initiative integrating AI into education governance.

ECAIR focuses on improving data quality, strengthening decision making, and streamlining operations within the country’s largest government bureaucracy.

“If you look at the quality of data a year ago versus now, there is a marked improvement. But there is still a long way to go,” Angara said.

He noted that AI-powered systems are now enabling DepEd to operate more efficiently and make more accurate, data-driven decisions.

“ECAIR helps us make decisions more accurately, something that is long-awaited, especially for an agency with the biggest workforce and one of the biggest budgets,” Angara added.

Since its launch, ECAIR has supported several key projects covering leadership appointments, learner data management, and resource allocation. These include the Project Dashboard for Understanding NASH Outcomes and National Grade-generation (DUNONG), the System for Intelligent Growth and Learner Anthropometry (SIGLA), and the Tracking Adoption Locations and Infrastructure Network Operations project (TALINO).

Through a faster and more transparent leadership selection process, 4,410 aspiring principals passed the National Qualifying Examination for School Heads in 2025. DepEd estimates savings of around PHP 5 million due to improved consolidation of records and clearer evaluation standards.

AI integration has also reduced the time teachers spend encoding learners’ health data to 1.87 hours per year, down from an average of 3.75 hours.

For infrastructure and resource management, DepEd has developed real-time visibility systems that track school facilities and operational updates, strengthening transparency and accountability.

By AI VoiceMaster
NEWS AI PH
Source: PNA