DepEd to use AI tool for library hubs program

The Department of Education (DepEd) will use an artificial intelligence-based tool to guide the rollout of its P1-billion Library Hubs program, aiming to better target schools with the greatest literacy needs.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative will rely on data analytics to determine where library hubs should be placed, moving away from traditional allocation methods.

“Data-driven policymaking is central to the education reforms we envision. Initiatives like this demonstrate how data science can help DepEd make smarter investments—ensuring that resources reach the schools and learners that need them the most,” Angara said.

The tool was developed by the Education Center for AI Research (ECAIR), DepEd’s internal innovation unit, and is designed to analyze national education and administrative datasets to identify priority schools based on reading proficiency, expected usage, and equity considerations.

The program will be funded under the 2026 Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF), with the goal of improving access to reading materials and addressing gaps in literacy.

The rollout follows findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), which flagged uneven distribution of learning resources as a key issue affecting education outcomes.

Undersecretary Carmela Oracion said school libraries and centralized hubs play a key role in building reading habits among students.

“By working with ECAIR to incorporate data into planning and prioritization, we can ensure that our investments better support learners in our schools,” she said.

ECAIR Managing Director Dr. Erika Legara added that while large amounts of education data are available, the challenge lies in translating these into actionable decisions.

The Library Hubs are designed as centralized facilities where public school teachers can borrow books and supplementary materials in bulk for classroom use, typically for periods of 25 to 30 days.

DepEd said it plans to further refine the tool to guide future investments in instructional materials, as part of broader efforts to improve functional literacy outcomes nationwide. —VAL, GMA News