Education, one of digital transformation priority sectors in Philippines
unconnected.org moderated the session on digital transformation for the education sector during the National Information and Communications Technology Summit 2025 organized by the Chief Information Officers Forum, the Chief Information Officers Forum Foundation and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Invited panelists included the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Education (DepEd) and University of the Philippines (UP), as well as several technology providers.
The theme Transforming Together: Building an Inclusive Digital Nation, mirrors the sector commitments realized by the collective effort of government through innovative policies and services, digital infrastructure, and with the strong support of the private sector by leveraging technology in accessing government services, including education.
Connectivity is an imperative that the education sector anchors its development roadmap, including a more pervasive online education implementation, smart classroom applications, and innovative course content delivery, among others, like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and information management.
Planning with connectivity as a key enabler is the way to go, the panel concluded. With over 15,000 schools unconnected, especially those in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA), there is foundational work to be undertaken to address the digital divide among students in rural and remote places.
unconnected.org focuses on schools as community hubs, providing satellite-based internet for learners and teachers, and offering affordable connectivity for surrounding households, in partnership with licensed local operators.
