AI learning program expands across Infanta public schools

By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino Infanta Mayor Lord Arnel “LA” Ruanto’s Lingap-Aral Program brings AI-powered learning to remote public sc...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino

Infanta Mayor Lord Arnel “LA” Ruanto’s Lingap-Aral Program brings AI-powered learning to remote public schools, highlighting the need for equal educational access in upland communities. (Screengrab from Infanta Live Video)

INFANTA, Quezon - Digital learning is reaching more public school pupils in Infanta, Quezon, as the municipal government expands its Lingap-Aral Program to provide artificial intelligence-powered educational tools, particularly in remote communities. The latest distribution at Magsaysay Elementary School included 48 learning tablets and AI Learning Management System (AI LMS) licenses to support classroom instruction and continued learning.

The initiative extends technology-assisted education to geographically isolated communities, with similar learning systems already being used in Kakawayan and Mayunod. Mayor Lord Arnel “LA” Ruanto led the latest distribution in partnership with Think TanQ, headed by its president, Annaleah Tanquintic.

The learning platform incorporates lessons aligned with the Department of Education's MATATAG curriculum, using Infanta's local language and cultural references to make instruction more familiar to pupils. Its digital materials can also help students continue their lessons during heavy rainfall and other disruptions to regular classroom activities.

Ruanto emphasized that the limited number of tablets must be shared among pupils to ensure wider access to the municipality's educational resources. He reminded students that the devices were intended for schoolwork rather than personal entertainment or individual ownership.

“Dahil yan, sabi ko sa inyo, kailangan magamit din ang iba para matuto sila, ha, kaya hindi yan pang personal. Yan ay para kayo mag-aral ng mabuti, okay, magagamit sa school, ginagawa na yan sa Kakawayan, sa Mayunod,” Ruanto said.

The mayor acknowledged that limited resources prevent the municipality from immediately providing tablets to every public school in Infanta. He expressed his intention to expand the initiative and eventually extend technological assistance to teachers as additional equipment becomes available.

The distribution also received support through fundraising activities involving singer Megan Aguilar, whose participation helped generate resources for the educational tablets. Aguilar attended the program and encouraged pupils to use the devices responsibly while concentrating on their studies.

Apart from the learning equipment, Ruanto and his family personally donated 480 umbrellas for pupils and school personnel through his Sariling Sikap initiative. He also pledged ₱45,000 from personal funds for a waiting shed, which broke ground during the visit to provide shelter for families waiting outside the school.

Beyond elementary education, Ruanto disclosed plans to establish a high school in the upland community to reduce the long distances students travel for secondary education. He said the proposed project remains dependent on finding suitable land before the municipality can proceed with its development.

“Wino-workout ko lamang maghanap ng lupa, pero balang araw, isa sa mga target ko, magkaroon na po ng high school dito. Pag nakahanap po natin ngayon, next project po natin, para hindi na po kayo lumayo, napakalayo po na tinatakbo ng mga estudyante natin para makapasok,” Ruanto said.

Meanwhile, teachers at Magsaysay Elementary School will coordinate the use of shared tablets, including student account registration, equipment maintenance and initial learning assessments. School personnel will also determine classroom and home-based arrangements to allow participating pupils to use the available learning resources.