11/12/2025
๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฎ๐ณ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐๐ค ๐๐ฉ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ, ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฌ ๐
๐ฎ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ
โTayo ang Bukas,โ says ASec. Galban
By Fernando B. Pili Jr.
BALER, AURORA โ Central Luzonโs 2nd Education Week, themed โThe Power of Breakthroughs in Education,โ officially opened on December 9 at the Sen. Edgardo J. Angara Convention Center. Organized by DepEd Regional Office III under the leadership of Regional Director Ronnie S. Mallari, PhD, CESO III, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Strategic Management Dexter A. Galban honorably graced the event, who inspired participants to embrace the future and lead with innovation.
โThe future is no longer waiting; it is calling you, and we will answer. Youโour learners todayโare the future,โ Asec. Galban declared.
He encouraged participants to imagine a world where technology and artificial intelligence will be everywhere in the next decade, stressing the importance of preparing to lead rather than merely catching up.
Asec. Galban highlighted the vision of DepEd Secretary Edgardo โSonnyโ Angara, guided by the Departmentโs Five-Point Development Agenda and the 2025โ2035 Quality-Basic Education Development Plan.
โSecretary Angara has opened the Department of Education to innovation, partnerships, and bold thinking. His trust in teachers and learners has created space to build the future of Philippine education,โ he said.
Among the initiatives highlighted was Project Agapay, set to launch in January, which will provide more than 1.6 million junior and senior high school learners and teachers with access to an AI-powered learning platform developed with Google and the ASEAN Foundation. Asec. Galban emphasized that this project does not replace teachers but empowers learners to think critically, learn faster, and solve real-world problems.
In the first quarter of 2026, DepEd will roll out an AI curriculum co-developed with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), followed by nationwide AI teacher training.
โOur teachers will not be left behind. When teachers are confident, learners rise,โ Asec. Galban assured.
He also lauded Aurora, the host province, for exemplifying its strong support of learnersโ well-being.
โLearners cannot innovate if they are hungry, unsupported, or unseen. Auroraโs leadership gives real meaning to the future we are building together,โ he said.
Concluding his speech, Asec. Galban challenged participants to embrace new technologies and career paths, ensuring that Filipino learners are ready to shape the future as technology and AI transform the world.
Following the program, DepEd key officials led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the AI Robotics booth display, prepared by various schools from different Schools Division Offices. They toured the exhibits and engaged with the innovations showcased.
The Education Week brought together learners, teachers, parents, DepEd officials, and community members to foster meaningful dialogue, explore innovative practices, and celebrate achievements within the educational sphere.
