In Focus

Policymaker Interview

Photo Credit: Tim Kitchen

Abram Abanil

Director IV, Information and Communications Technology Service, Department of Education Philippines

Abram Abanil, Director IV, oversees the Information and Communications Technology Service for the Department of Education Philippines (DepEd). During his time in this role, he has managed the DepEd Computerization Program and participated in numerous Cyber Expos that were born out of the Digital Rise Framework. Training teachers in digital literacy has been consistent throughout his tenure, and is now more important than ever. His prior experience includes roles at the Education Development Center, UNICEF, and the World Bank. In this interview, we ask him specifically about the steps DepEd took during COVID-19 to ensure the continuity of learning.

The interview below was conducted by Anthony Bloome, Founder and Executive Director of the mEducation Alliance. 

Anthony: We are interested to know how the Philippines has been delivering education during the COVID-19  pandemic. Could you please describe the tactics being used by the Department of Education for remote learning?And what does a typical TV broadcast look like? 

Anthony: Can you tell us more about the TV programs and why specifically television was chosen as the delivery method?

Anthony: What is the relationship between the Dep-Ed Commons and the various media you’ve talked about? Can you describe who the typical Dep-Ed commons user is?

Anthony: Is there an e-learning platform that accompanies the education TV programs and how do teachers track the progress of each student?

Anthony: Has there been accommodation for learners with disabilities?

Anthony: You attended the 2019 mEducation Alliance Symposium “Digital Literacy and Skills for Education and Development.” Were there any stand out presentation or organizations from the symposium you would like to partner with? 

Anthony: If you had to select the theme for the next mEducation Alliance symposium, what would it be? 

Anthony: And finally, what advice would you give other policymakers working in the education technology field? 

The Mobiles for Education (mEducation) Alliance is a non-governmental organization focused on the evidence-driven and sustainable role of technology in education to advance quality educational outcomes. Initially formed in 2010, the mEducation Alliance is a unique, multi-stakeholder convening platform for government and donor policymakers, other investors, researchers, and practitioners to work together, particularly in lower-resource, developing country contexts. For more information about the Alliance, including about our signature activities, visit the organization web page.

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Jax Chaudhry

Jax Chaudhry leads Project Invent, a national nonprofit that empowers youth with future ready mindsets for individual success and global impact, through invention. Originally from the Southside of Chicago, Jax loves working with students, families and partners to ensure every student can attain success as they define it. For more than 10 years, she has worked with elementary schools, high schools, education nonprofits and led regional teams and operations to ensure student success.

Michael Leventhal

Kenneth Y T Lim operates at the intersection of neuroergonomics, the learning scienceMichael Leventhal is co-founder of RobotsMali, a pedagogical and AI4D laboratory and STEM education center in Bamako, Mali. RobotsMali has trained thousands of students from elementary school to high school in computer science, robotics, and artificial intelligence, coached national robotics teams that have won 32 medals in international competitions, and developed technologies using AI and robotics for the social and economic development of Mali. Before becoming an educator in Mali, Michael worked as a technologist in Silicon Valley.s, and cognitive psychology. In 2023, he and his team were identified by UNESCO to share their work on the affordances of Generative AI for meaningful teaching and learning, during UNESCO’s first annual flagship event Digital Learning Week, international forum on the implications of Generative AI for education, in the session on ‘Preparing students and teachers for responsible use of AI’.

Enouce Ndeche

Enouce Ndeche is the founder and Director of Vijana Amani Pamoja ,VAP a community scheme based in Nairobi Kenya that uses the power and the popularity of the game of soccer/football as a catalyst for social, educational and economic empowerment.Enouce holds a degree in sociology from Egerton university and he is also the 2020 individual award recipient “Diversity and Inclusion Eminent Leader Award Enouce is also a certified Sports Philanthropy and Executive, George Washington University and is a 2023 Gratitude Network fellow.

Kenneth Y T Lim

Kenneth Y T Lim operates at the intersection of neuroergonomics, the learning sciences, and cognitive psychology. In 2023, he and his team were identified by UNESCO to share their work on the affordances of Generative AI for meaningful teaching and learning, during UNESCO’s first annual flagship event Digital Learning Week, international forum on the implications of Generative AI for education, in the session on ‘Preparing students and teachers for responsible use of AI’.