Khan Academy and GBF Foundation Launch Partnership

(SPOT.ph) You've likely heard about Khan Academy. It's highly possible you were able to use the American learning platform at one point, or if not you, then likely a cousin, niece or nephew, or your own kids have used it. The non-profit organization recently set up roots in the Philippines and is now working towards the grand goal of reaching one million students by the end of 2026, now with the help of the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF). Khan Academy Philippines and GBF officially launched their partnership on July 3 at the Holiday Inn Manila Galleria.

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Khan Academy Philippines and Gokongwei Brothers Foundation partner up to help bolster Philippine education

To date, Khan Academy Philippines has launched their program in 34 schools; 30 public and four private institutions across Metro Manila and Dumaguete City. According to Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine, CEO of Khan Academy Philippines, they sought schools that fit three criteria: at least 100 mbps Internet speed, one device per student (which could be used in shifts), and most importantly, willingness and enthusiasm from the admin to join the program. While Khan Academy may be a helpful tool, ultimately it will always be up to the students, and of course, the educators themselves, explained Acuña-Sunshine.

With the pilot program in place during school year 2023 to 2024, Khan Academy was able to reach 71 Math teachers, 3,250 students, and 600 parents. They customized Math lessons from the U.S. Khan Academy for the Philippine curriculum, as checked by the Department of Education, and also taught educators how to use their platform as an effective teaching aid, the Growth mindset, Mastery Learning, and Student Progress monitoring.  

"When we started using Khan Academy, my workload lessened because there were videos and exercises that were readily available. My teaching became easier. I also noticed that my students were more excited and engaged with the lessons," said Cynthia Martin, a teacher at San Joaquin Elementary School in Pasig City.

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The non-profit aims to reach one million students by December of 2026. They are working on customizing more topics in Khan Academy to fit the Philippine landscape, working with DepEd in order to do so. They aim to reach around eight different regions in the next school year, with partners like GBF helping them achieve the goal.

"We are so thrilled to be able to bring this global technology here to elevate learning in the Philippines by providing 21st Century skills," said Acuña-Sunshine during the launch. "Our expansion plans are hinged on partnerships with schools and companies like the Gokongwei Group and the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation who share our vision of a better future through education."

The GBF, in turn, also acknowledged the power of having partners with similar goals of aiding education in the Philippines. "We see Khan Academy as an integral part of our plan to reach more learners to provide free quality education for all," said Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng, GBF managing director.

Khan Academy Philippines is the first international franchise of the U.S.-based NGO. It was founded in 2008 by financial analyst Sal Khan, who was inspired to start the group after tutoring his own cousins. It soon grew into a fully fledged global education platform that uses technology to help simplify concepts and teach students, thereby working to close learning gaps. The Philippine arm was founded by Acuña-Sunshine in 2023, after having met Khan while studying in Harvard University and realizing that this platform would greatly help our country's students. 

Interested schools or partners can reach out to Khan Academy Philippines on their Facebook page.