The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday inked a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Khan Academy to utilize educational technology to aid learners in the Philippines, particularly in mathematics.
Khan Academy is a global non-profit organization that intends to provide free education in mathematics, science, reading, art, computer programming, and economics, among others.
“It’s really an amazing tool, one of the amazing phenomena of our time. What’s really amazing is not only what it actually does when it operates, but it helps our students, helps our parents, helps our teachers,” DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said in a speech, citing positive feedback during Khan Academy’s initial platform usage in 33 schools in the country.
Under the said platform, learners have access to educational videos and practice tests in math subjects of Grades 1, 4, 5, and 7.
Angara expressed optimism on how the tool can help improve learners’ performance in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).
“Definitely makakatulong ito sa PISA natin (This will definitely help us in our PISA), if not 2025, 2029 dahil nakabase siya doon sa learner e. Dahil kung mahina ang learner, marami siyang makukuha doon sa (because it’s based on learners. If the learner is weak, there’s many things to learn from the) software,” Angara said.
In the 2022 PISA, the country landed in the bottom 10 out of 81 participating nations in mathematics, reading comprehension, and science; and second to the last in creative thinking.
Khan Academy Philippines President and Chief Executive Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine, meanwhile, assured further improvements to make the platform even more appropriate for Filipino learners, especially with the MATATAG curriculum pilot implementation.
“Initial data trends have shown a correlation between consistent platform usage and increased math scores. Ang aming hangarin ngayon ay magpatuloy ang positive trends na ito habang nagpapalawak sa iba pang rehiyon sa mga bansa (Our aim right now is to continue these positive trends while expanding in other regions in the country),” she added, adding that their tools are both “safe and fun” for learners.
Angara, likewise, expressed that these tools may also be used for blended or online learning as they alleviate the impact of teachers and classroom shortages.
“I think so. I think it’s perfect for that kind of thing. And then mayroon din silang (they also have) Khan, which is a tutorial,” he said.
The Khan Academy is eyeing to benefit one million learners in the country by 2028.
Opening of classes
Angara, meanwhile, said that the first week of classes for school year 2024-2025 has been good.
“Ang ganda nung three to four schools na binisita namin. All were outstanding in their own way. Pero may ilang schools pa na hindi nagbubukas (but some schools have not opened yet),” he said referring to 615 schools that postponed school opening in Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.
Angara expressed hopes to open classes in the said schools on August 5, as 454,082 learners are reportedly affected.
As of Friday, the DepEd has logged 23,340,101 enrolled learners from elementary to senior high school level, in all public and private schools nationwide.
In terms of reducing teachers’ workload, Angara said they are eyeing to hire 10,000 additional administrative staff for their non-teaching tasks. (PNA)
