A stronger workforce begins long before a young Filipino applies for a job. It begins when a child learns to read with confidence, understands numbers and gets help before a small learning gap becomes a lasting disadvantage.
That is the idea behind Alagang Ayala’s education initiatives, which bring together Ayala Foundation’s work with public schools and iPeople’s network of schools and universities. The effort spans early childhood learning, elementary education, higher education and career preparation.
In San Marcelino, Zambales, Ayala Foundation’s CENTEX Digital Education program gives teachers a clearer picture of how their pupils are doing. Digital learning tools help identify skills that need attention, while training and coaching help teachers adjust their lessons.
The pilot reached 1,558 pupils in Grades 4 to 6 and 27 teachers across nine public schools. Average mathematics scores rose from 27 percent to 56 percent after 12 weeks, according to a third-party evaluation cited by Ayala. The approach has since expanded in Zambales: at least one teacher in each of the province’s 315 public elementary schools has been trained, and 79 schools are implementing the program. ayala.com
The wider challenge explains why those early interventions matter. Filipino students improved in reading, science and mathematics in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment compared with 2022. But the OECD found that only 21 percent reached baseline proficiency in mathematics, 31 percent in reading and 32 percent in science. Progress is real, yet many learners still need support to master essential skills. www.oecd.org
Ayala Foundation is reaching children even earlier through CENTEX Early Grades. In El Nido, Palawan, and Lamitan City, Basilan, the program focuses on literacy, numeracy and social and emotional development among children ages three to five. It also supports teachers and child development workers with training and learning resources, while drawing parents more closely into their children’s education.
“Teachers and child development workers are at the heart of the learning journey. They are the ones who see how learners are progressing, where they need support, and how to best help them move forward,” said Ayala Foundation President Tony Lambino.
As students grow older, the focus shifts from building foundational skills to preparing for further study and work. iPeople, formed through the combination of the Yuchengco and Ayala education groups in 2019, serves more than 80,000 students from kindergarten through doctoral programs. Its network includes Mapúa University, National Teachers College, APEC Schools and the University of Nueva Caceres, among other institutions. ayala.com
Through industry partnerships, international collaborations and programs in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, iPeople aims to help students develop skills that employers increasingly seek. That connection between learning and livelihood gives the group’s education work a broader economic purpose: better-prepared graduates can pursue more opportunities, while businesses gain access to the talent they need to grow.
“Quality education must prepare learners not only to graduate, but to succeed in a rapidly changing world,” said iPeople President Fred Ayala.
For Ayala Corporation Chief Social Infrastructure Officer Paolo Borromeo, education is an investment in both individual lives and the country’s future. “When Filipinos have access to quality education, they are better equipped to build meaningful careers, support their families, and contribute to the country,” he said.
The path from classroom to career is long. Alagang Ayala’s approach is to support learners at several points along it, starting with the skills that make every later opportunity possible.
