Philippine Catholic schools discuss AI’s accessibility and inclusivity

Over 260 participants from across the Philippines gathered for “Everything AI: The 2025 NBEC Summit on Accessibility and Inclusivity on March 20-21, 2025, at Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle, Manila.

Organized under the CEAP (The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines) National Basic Education Commission (NBEC), the summit brought together Catholic educators, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping accessibility and inclusivity in the Philippine educational system.

CEAP represents over 1,500 Catholic educational institutions in the country.

As the educational landscape evolves, the summit offered a valuable opportunity for experts in the field to share insights on AI’s potential to transform educational practices.

Presentations and panel discussions delved into the practical applications of AI, focusing on its impact on policy and classroom dynamics while also addressing the challenges and opportunities for Catholic education in this new era.

The summit began with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Fr. Rey Anthony P. Navidad, Region VIII Trustee and Superintendent of the Diocese of Borongan Catholic Schools.

CEAP President Jesuit Fr. Karel S. San Juan then welcomed the participants. In his speech, he reminded the participants of the deeper purpose of this year’s NBEC Summit.

"In this summit, we shall reflect, listen, converse, and discern a lot, together as a community, in the spirit of the Church’s vision of synodality, not just as educators, but more significantly so, as a community of Catholic school educators inspired by our Christian faith," shared San Juan.

Discussions on the Revised Senior High School Curriculum were led by DepEd OIC-Assistant Secretary for Operations Joycelyn D.R. Andaya, alongside panelists Mr. Benhur Ong, MBA, Chancellor of De La Salle College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB), and Fr. Onofre G. Inocencio, Jr. SDB, President of Unified TVET Inc. (UniTVET). The talk was moderated by Ms. Evangeline de Peralta, Chairperson of the NCR Basic Education Commission.

An engaging session on ethics and academic integrity in the age of artificial intelligence was led by Francis Jim Tuscano, grade school CLE chairperson and EdTech coordinator at Xavier School, San Juan.

He was joined by Leo Martin Angelo Ocampo of the Institute of Religion, University of Santo Tomas (UST), and Ricardo R. Palo, Executive Director of the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU). Dr. Teresita Arcos-Surot, school directress of Holy Family School of Quezon City, moderated the forum.

The second day of the summit began with a presentation on Institutionalizing Assessment Reform and Learning Interventions: Policy Recommendations in Basic Education by Dr. Marilyn U. Balagtas, Vice President for Academics at the Philippine Normal University (PNU).

CEAP Executive Director Narcy F. Ador Dionisio then led a consultation on Standards-Based Reporting of Student Achievement and Performance.

The final plenary presentation, titled Engaging Complementarity: Addressing Gaps and Leverages on Accessibility and Inclusivity in Basic Education, was led by Dr. Rhodora Angela F. Ferrer, Executive Director of the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), with panelist Atty. Sabino Padilla IV, CEAP Legal Counsel. The session was moderated by Jose Ramelle Javier, Superintendent for Luzon Schools at the Lasallian Schools Supervision Office, who also led the summit’s reflection and synthesis.

“...And I hope that with all the remarkable opportunities for growth and the networking that transpired yesterday and today, we pray that all our Catholic educators present here today and when you return to your respective homes and respective educational communities, that AI should remain in your hearts, that AI should be an indication that you always remain in love—so that’s AI: Always remain in love with a mission,” Javier concluded.