Microsoft and the Department of Education (DepEd) are significantly expanding their collaboration, harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance literacy outcomes for Filipino students and empower educators nationwide.
This growing partnership aligns directly with Secretary Sonny Angara’s five-point education agenda, underscoring a shared commitment to democratize AI for widespread educational benefit.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara while presenting his 5-point agenda
Highlighting the impact of DepEd, Microsoft’s AI-powered Literacy Day
Last June 18, students and teachers convened at Ilugin Elementary School in Pasig City for the “Read and Lead: An AI-powered Literacy Day.”
The event showcased live demonstrations of Reading Progress and Reading Coach, with Grades 4-6 students participating in guided reading sessions. Teachers highlighted the tools’ ability to personalize instruction and reduce administrative burdens.
Jessica Leaño, the school’s ICT coordinator, reported that these tools have helped ten struggling readers achieve proficiency and significantly streamlined literacy reporting time.
Key attendees included DepEd Assistant Secretaries Marcelino Veloso III and Carmela Oracion, and Congressman Roman Romulo, co-chair of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2). All expressed strong support for the initiative.
Assistant Secretary Veloso emphasized the national vision: “Reading has shaped my journey… Aligned with the President’s call to make digitalization a standard in our schools, we’re exploring tools like Reading Progress that empower both learners and educators. Our commitment is clear: scale what works, so every Filipino child can thrive.”
Assistant Secretary Carmela Oracion, leading the literacy initiative, added: “Literacy is the foundation upon which all learning rests, and by harnessing AI-powered tools, we equip our teachers and students with the resources they need to thrive in a digital era.”
Parents at the event praised the initiative for fostering independent reading and enabling greater family involvement in their children’s literacy development.
Documenting gains in pilot programs
The pilot programs across the country have demonstrated tangible results, as follows:
- Cabanatuan: The READExcel program in three Cabanatuan schools (Macatbong, PG Crisostomo, LD Renon Integrated Schools) saw the number of struggling readers drop from 14 to zero following intervention with consistent practice, guardian support, and instructional videos.
- Bais City: Teachers using Microsoft’s Reading Progress have reduced reading assessment time from two days to two hours, freeing up valuable time for teaching. Over 14,000 learners across 60 schools have benefited. Venus Marie Catubay, an English teacher, noted the tool’s effectiveness in identifying specific intervention areas and tracking student growth.
Future outlook: Scaling nationwide
The partnership aims to align Reading Progress with the DepEd’s National Reading Program and the Philippine Informal Reading Inventory (PHIL-IRI) goals.
Microsoft and the DepEd , alongside industry partners, plan to scale the program nationwide and strengthen teacher capacity in digital fluency and AI integration.
“This is just the beginning,” stated Peter Maquera, Microsoft Philippines CEO. “By combining technology with the passion of Filipino educators, we can close the literacy gap and empower every learner to succeed.”
