By Alice Chambers |
Microsoft and the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines will equip 3,000 teachers across 1,500 schools with AI-powered tools to improve students’ foundational reading and maths skills.
At the centre of the programme is Microsoft Reading Progress, a free tool that automates reading fluency checks, highlights learning gaps and helps teachers provide personalised support more efficiently.
“Literacy remains one of our biggest national challenges, with many learners still not meeting expected proficiency levels,” said Sonny Angara, secretary for DepEd. “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.”
Reading Progress has already been piloted with strong results. In Bais and Dumaguete, over 14,000 learners across 61 schools were assessed, and in Cabanatuan City, 100 per cent of students in three school districts advanced to higher literacy levels. These successes have made Reading Progress a central part of DepEd’s national literacy strategy.
Student using the Reading Progress tool to practice descriptive reading in a classroom in Bais City
“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. “By leveraging Microsoft’s trusted platforms and solutions, we aim to empower educators, inspire learners and unlock every Filipino’s potential, helping build a future-ready nation where knowledge fuels opportunity, innovation and inclusive growth.”