Insider Spotlight
The expanded collaboration will focus on large-scale AI literacy through Project S.I.N.A.G., or Supercharging Instruction for National Advancement with Google.
The initiative aims to provide teachers and DepEd personnel with no-cost Google and Gemini AI certifications, encouraging them to complete training before the start of the school year.
DepEd said the program is designed to help educators strengthen their professional credentials while learning how to use AI tools to simplify daily work, improve lesson preparation, and support classroom instruction.
AI for teachers
The initiative comes as AI reshapes the way information is gathered, processed, and shared.
For teachers, upskilling has become increasingly important as their role evolves from being primary sources of information to facilitators of critical thinking and responsible technology use.
By learning how to use AI tools, educators can automate time-consuming tasks such as lesson planning, content creation, and summarizing instructional materials. This can help reduce administrative workload and allow teachers to spend more time engaging directly with students.
Google Philippines country manager Prep Palacios said the partnership is focused on empowering educators, not just introducing new technologies.
“We believe that technology’s greatest potential in education lies in empowering the people who make learning happen every day,” Palacios said.
“By bringing Gemini and specialized AI training to the hands of over one million Filipino teachers and Department of Education staff, we are not just modernizing tools. We are investing in the mentors who will shape the next generation of the country.”
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the program aims to help Filipino teachers become leaders in using technology for learning.
“Our goal is to ensure Filipino teachers don't just keep up with technology, but actually lead the way in using it,” Angara said.
He added that the Google certification programs will help remove barriers to professional growth, as completed coursework will earn educators and staff professional development credits that support career advancement in public service.
Certification pathway
The certification path is divided into three levels. The Fundamental or Level 1 track focuses on helping teachers simplify daily work using core Google tools.
The Advanced or Level 2 track supports educators in mastering more complex educational workflows. The AI Mastery or Gemini Certified track trains teachers to adopt AI and prompt engineering directly in the classroom.
Beyond training, the partnership also gives more than one million DepEd teachers and staff access to Gemini through their official education accounts.
These tools, along with NotebookLM, are already being used to summarize curriculum materials and craft lesson plans.
NotebookLM can also produce audio and video overviews in Filipino and Cebuano, making the technology more local and accessible for educators and learners.
Sustainable technology
The partnership also seeks to support technological sustainability in public schools. Through ChromeOS Flex, DepEd is repurposing older Windows devices into faster, modern machines for student use.
The move allows more learners to access digital tools while helping the department maximize existing resources.
By combining AI training, digital access, and device modernization, DepEd and Google aim to strengthen classroom readiness for a digital-first future. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
