DepEd, Google to provide over 1 million teachers, staff with AI skills training, certification opportunities

The Department of Education (DepEd) is expanding its partnership with Google for Education to provide artificial intelligence (AI) training and certification opportunities to more than one million public school teachers and personnel, as the agency pushes to strengthen digital literacy and modernize classroom instruction.

The initiative will be carried out under Project S.I.N.A.G. (Supercharging Instruction for National Advancement with Google), a large-scale upskilling program designed to equip educators and education staff with AI competencies and digital tools that can support teaching, learning, and administrative work.

According to DepEd, the program includes a series of no-cost Google and Gemini AI certifications that teachers are encouraged to complete before the start of the school year. The certifications aim to help educators build AI-related skills while earning credentials that may contribute to their professional development.

DepEd said the training comes as AI increasingly influences how information is accessed and processed, prompting schools to adapt to a rapidly changing digital environment. The department noted that AI tools can help teachers automate time-consuming tasks such as lesson planning and content preparation, potentially allowing them to devote more time to student engagement and instruction.

Prep Palacios, country manager of Google Philippines, said the initiative seeks to empower educators as technology becomes more integrated into classrooms.

"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 educators become more proficient in using technology while supporting their career development.

"Our goal is to ensure Filipino teachers don't just keep up with technology, but actually lead the way in using it," Angara said.

"By providing specialized training that includes Google certifications, we are removing barriers to professional growth."

The certification program will be offered in three levels: Fundamental, which focuses on core Google tools; Advanced, which covers more complex educational workflows; and AI Mastery, which centers on the use of Gemini AI and prompt engineering in classroom settings.

Beyond training, DepEd said more than one million teachers and staff now have access to Gemini through their official education accounts. The department added that AI-powered tools such as NotebookLM are already being used to summarize curriculum materials and assist in developing lesson plans. NotebookLM can also generate audio and video overviews in Filipino and Cebuano, making the technology more accessible to local users.

The partnership also includes efforts to extend the life of older computers through ChromeOS Flex, allowing aging Windows devices to be repurposed for educational use and helping schools maximize existing resources while expanding access to digital learning tools. —Sherylin Untalan/ RF, GMA News