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GMA Network
7 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
AI use in PH classrooms must fit students' needs —solon
Some things must be considered first before artificial intelligence (AI) can be integrated into the classrooms, said House Basic Education and Culture Committee chairperson Roman Romulo. While AI can be an effective learning tool, Romulo said that it's important for students to develop their critical thinking. 'May advantages siya, but before we implement it fully kailangan natin pagaralan kung ano yung tamang level at kung sino yung mga estudyante na kailangan natin bigyan ng AI. Kasi mayroon ng mga pagaaral, although preliminary po yun, may lumabas na pagaaral I think from schools in Boston na sinasabi nga nila hindi naman wholesale ibigay natin yung AI sa lahat o yung technology,' he said in an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Friday. (It has its benefits, but before we roll it out completely, we need to carefully consider the appropriate level and which students truly need AI. There are already studies, though preliminary, I think from schools in Boston, that suggest we shouldn't just give AI or the technology to everyone wholesale.) 'Kasi maganda pa rin na nadedevelop yung learner o yung bata yung traditional way of learning. Nahahasa din papunta siyang critical thinking, kailangan talaga pinagiisipan niya yung bawat bagay,' Romulo added. (It's still beneficial for learners and children to develop using traditional learning methods. This also sharpens their critical thinking skills, requiring them to genuinely ponder every detail.) The latest Philippine Statistics Authority study showed that more than 1 in 5 Filipinos aged 10 to 64 have difficulty comprehending what they read—despite being able to read, write, and compute. National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said the basic literacy rate — the share of people who can read, write, and compute — is 93.1%, but only 70.8% are considered functionally literate, meaning they can also comprehend. In his fourth State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted concerns in the education system, including literacy. 'May value talaga ang AI. Pero hindi siya pwedeng wholesale for now, one size does not fit all. Kailangan natin ma-tailor fit yung pagintroduce ng technology, pag-introduce ng AI depending po sa sitwasyon para responsible din yung paggamit ng mga developments na ito,' said Romulo. (AI truly has value. However, it can't be a wholesale solution for now; one size doesn't fit all. We need to tailor the introduction of this technology and AI depending on the situation, ensuring responsible use of these developments.) 'Pero naniniwala ako, the moment ma-full throttle at effective na ito na ginagawa ng DepEd natin, nakatutok na sa functional literacy, the computer technology will be used in the right way,' he added, referring to the Department of Education's ARAL Program which offers free tutorials and interventions to students struggling with reading, mathematics, and science. (But I believe the moment our DepEd fully and effectively implements this focus on functional literacy, computer technology will be used in the right way.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
21-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
Angara urges public: Don't pressure LGUs to suspend classes
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo 'Sonny' Angara on Monday appealed to local governments and parents not to hastily suspend classes during light rains, warning that frequent cancellations have a negative effect on learning among Filipino students. 'Nakikiusap din kami sa publiko, mga magulang, mga estudyante. Huwag natin masyadong i-pressure ang ating local government, chief executives na konting ulan mag-suspend na tayo dahil pag sinumatotal natin ang nawawalang araw, malaki ang dagok o tama sa ating mga estudyante, yung tinatawag na learning loss,' Angara said in an ambush interview on Monday. (We appeal to the public, to parents, to students. Let's avoid pressuring our local government officials to suspend classes every time it rains lightly, because when we total all the days we missed, the impact on our students is huge—this what we call learning loss.) He said the Department of Education (DepEd) is now requiring schools to hold make-up classes to ensure students can still complete the required learning hours. 'Yung ini-emphasize namin that there must be make-up classes kasi matindi na yung learning loss talaga. Apektado ang bata pag masyadong maraming cancellation," he said. (We're emphasizing that there must be make-up classes because the learning loss is already severe. Students are really affected when there are too many cancellations.) These make-up sessions, however, do not have to fall on weekends. 'Saturday or after school kung kailan. Depende rin sa availability ng guro," he added. (It could be on Saturdays or after school hours—depending on the availability of teachers.) Catching up Angara's statement comes as the country continues to face worsening academic performance among learners, particularly in reading and math. He said DepEd is ramping up its interventions through the ARAL Program, which provides personalized tutorial and remediation sessions. 'Well it's still quite significant especially sa literacy at math. So we're addressing it this year with the Aral program. Nakita natin na very effective yung pagbibigay ng personalized tutorials," Angara noted. (The proficiency gap is still quite significant, especially in literacy and math. So we're addressing that this year through the Aral program. We've seen that giving personalized tutorials is very effective.) He also credited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his strong support of education reforms, including an expanded feeding program, hiring of more teachers, additional classrooms, and hiring of non-teaching staff to reduce the burden on educators. The National Launch of the Expanded School-Based Feeding Program held in Antipolo City, which officially kicked off the rollout of the improved initiative targeting thousands of kindergarten pupils across the country. DepEd said the school-based feeding program has been expanded to cover 120 days and now applies to all kindergarten students nationwide—marking the first time the program has gone fully universal at that level. 'Nasa 120 days na tayo. At the first time universal feeding, ibig sabihin lahat ng bata sa kindergarten ay kasama sa feeding program this year. Dahil yun talaga ang instruction sa amin ni Secretary Ted Herbosa ni Pangulong Marcos na palawigin, palawakin, palalimin itong school feeding program natin,' Angara said. (We're now at 120 days. And for the first time, it's universal feeding—meaning all kindergarten children are included in the program this year. That's really the instruction given to us by Health Secretary Ted Herbosa and President Marcos: to expand and solidify the school feeding program.) 'Parang dati parang nasa 30-60 days lang. So ngayon umabot tayo ng 120 days," he added. (Before, it used to be only around 30 to 60 days. Now we've reached 120 days.) — RF, GMA Integrated News
