DepEd taps academy to aid learners in math

THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday inked a memorandum of agreement with a global nonprofit organization to utilize educational technology to aid learners in the Philippines, particularly in mathematics.

Khan Academy 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,» Education Secretary Juan Edgardo 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 could help improve learners' performance in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).

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.

Advertisement

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

Advertisement

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