Google partners with DepEd, CHED, TESDA to upskill teachers in AI

MANILA, Philippines – Google Philippines launched the Google AI Educator Series (GES), a free bite-sized learning initiative for AI and Gemini training on October 13, 2026.

The tech giant partnered with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to reach public school teachers, government workers, and the general public.

GES timed its launch as October celebrates Teacher’s Month. Additionally, this also follows data that showed how more educators are looking to adapt AI into their curriculum.

The GES helps teachers understand the ethical use of AI, explore practical classroom applications, and follow prompt guidelines.

The scope of the partnership

DepEd will formally endorse GES nationwide through an upcoming joint curricular issuance.

This will include National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP) accreditation to award Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit units required for Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) license renewal.

GES, together with the government, aims to upskill over one million public school teachers in AI.

Next, CHED will issue an advisory for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that the GES is an optional resource to understand the AI tools for teaching, learning and research.

TESDA currently has GES embedded into the TESDA Online Program, a free e-learning platform.

“Building a future-ready nation starts with supporting our teachers. Our public school teachers carry a heavy workload every day, from crafting lesson plans to administrative reporting,” said DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara.

“Through our partnership with Google and the integration of the Google AI Educator Series into our enablement programs for teachers and staff, we are giving our teachers practical tools that lighten their administrative load. This allows them to spend less time on paperwork and more time doing what they do best: teaching and mentoring our learners.”

Adapting learning to AI

A study presented by Google Philippines during the launch revealed that 86 percent of Filipino educators are inclined to use AI, but only 17 percent feel that they lack the training to do so.

Meanwhile, a UNESCO survey showed that 50 percent had low confidence or understanding of AI.

“Education is changing rapidly and AI is at the very center,” said Prep Palacios, Google Philippines Country Manager.

Google emphasized that although AI will soon become fully integrated into the curriculum, educators’ human touch remains more valuable.

“Amid all of this transformation, and the rise of AI, the soul of great teaching does not change, it will always be about human connection, empathy, and personal guidance. It cannot replace the heart of a teacher,” added Palacios.