The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines recently made a significant move towards enhancing the quality of education in public schools by signing an agreement with Khan Academy, a popular online education nonprofit. This partnership aims to provide digital learning materials to approximately 1,000 public schools across the country. Education Secretary Sonny Angara signed the agreement with Khan Academy, founded by educator Salman Khan, with the goal of improving the competencies of Filipino students.
One of the key objectives of this collaboration is to help Filipino public school students perform better in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) examinations. Secretary Angara expressed his optimism about the impact of Khan Academy’s materials on the students‘ learning outcomes. While immediate results may not be seen in the upcoming Pisa tests, he believes that the benefits of this partnership will be evident by 2029.
Khan Academy’s digital learning materials will primarily focus on math, science, and reading – subjects where Filipino learners often fall behind their international peers in assessments. By leveraging Khan Academy’s resources, teachers can enhance their teaching methods and provide students with alternative ways to understand and engage with these subjects. This new approach to learning is expected to benefit both educators and students by offering a fresh perspective on traditional teaching methods.
Many Filipino students are already familiar with Khan Academy’s learning modules through its YouTube channel and separate digital app. With over 8.17 million subscribers and more than 2 billion views on its videos, Khan Academy has established itself as a valuable educational resource for students worldwide. By incorporating these materials into the curriculum of public schools, students can access high-quality educational content that complements their classroom learning.
Despite the potential benefits of this partnership, challenges remain, particularly in remote areas of the country where access to technology and internet connectivity is limited. The success of the project hinges on schools having high-speed internet connections, an adequate number of devices, and dedicated school administrators and teachers. Addressing these infrastructure issues is crucial to ensuring that all students, regardless of their location, can benefit from the digital learning materials provided by Khan Academy.
In conclusion, the collaboration between DepEd and Khan Academy represents a significant step towards improving the quality of education in the Philippines. By leveraging digital learning resources, educators can enhance their teaching practices and provide students with innovative ways to engage with challenging subjects. While challenges exist, the potential long-term benefits of this partnership are promising, with the hope of seeing improved student performance in international assessments in the years to come.