The Department of Education (DepEd) and Microsoft Philippines are expanding the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools to improve literacy and help teachers support student learning nationwide.
The partnership focuses on using Microsoft Learning Accelerators, which combine AI coaching and progress tracking to help students improve reading, math, and well-being, while developing digital information literacy and communication skills.
“Our goal is to elevate national literacy in close partnership with DepEd, aligning the Philippines with the world’s highest-performing education systems and institutions,” said Jonathan Que, country general manager of Microsoft Philippines.
Microsoft’s Reading Progress is the first tool introduced under the collaboration and is now part of DepEd’s literacy strategy. The tool has been adopted in Bais and Dumaguete, where more than 14,000 learners in 61 schools were assessed, and in Cabanatuan City, where all learners in three school districts moved to higher literacy levels.
Reading Progress automates reading fluency checks and provides data that helps teachers identify learning gaps and tailor support for students. The system also reduces administrative tasks and helps teachers connect literacy learning with digital and AI skills.
“Literacy remains one of our biggest national challenges, with many learners still not meeting expected proficiency levels,” said Sonny Angara, secretary of the Department of Education. “Reading Progress gives us a clear starting point to understand where our students are today, and through our partnership with Microsoft, we aim to significantly raise literacy outcomes in the coming years so every child builds the strong foundation they deserve.”
The program supports DepEd’s Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) initiative launched in September 2025. Microsoft has started training educators in 25 school districts nationwide and aims to reach 3,000 teachers across 1,500 schools in 2026.
DepEd also launched Accelerating Governance and Adaptive Pedagogy through Artificial Intelligence (AGAP.AI) on Jan. 9, 2026. The program aims to promote responsible AI use in basic education and plans to train 1.5 million students, teachers, and parents on AI literacy and ethical use.