In Focus
Policymaker Interview
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?
