"Cultivating Minds: The Role of Department of Education in Improving Reading Comprehension and Critical Thinking Skills of Students"
Nowadays, many students tend to rely heavily on Artificial Intelligence (AI) instead of using it responsibly as a guide in completing their schoolwork. As a result, their reading comprehension and critical thinking skills are not properly practiced and developed. In 2024, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that nearly 18.96 million Filipino junior and senior high school completers are unable to read and comprehend a simple story. Thus, the Department of Education (DepEd) should focus more on improving students’ reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.
The integration of problem-solving concepts into the curriculum is a great way to enhance students’ reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Studies show that incorporating problem-solving activities in lessons encourages students to analyze information, connect ideas, and apply what they read to real-life situations, which helps deepen comprehension and strengthen critical thinking abilities (Nabong & Ferenal, 2025).
Implementing a “No Phones Allowed Unless Necessary” policy may also encourage students to think critically without distractions and reliance on artificial intelligence. This idea is supported by a policy from the Department of Education, which strictly prohibits students in elementary and secondary schools from using cellular phones during class hours. The policy states that cellphone use in classrooms can divert students’ attention from their studies and disrupt classes, which may negatively affect learning and academic focus.
Although the use of artificial intelligence can be beneficial in helping students better understand lessons by providing deeper explanations of concepts and making academic tasks easier, it also has significant disadvantages. Overreliance on artificial intelligence may hinder the development of students’ critical thinking and reading comprehension which can lead to poor academic performance. According to research published in the journal Smart Learning Environments, excessive dependence on AI tools may weaken students’ cognitive abilities such as critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and decision-making because students may rely on AI-generated answers instead of analyzing information themselves. This shows that while artificial intelligence can support learning, students still need to actively read, think, and evaluate information in order to fully develop their understanding and reasoning skills.
The Department of Education should give more attention to improving students’ reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. While artificial intelligence can be helpful in learning, it should only serve as a guide and not replace students’ own thinking and understanding. By strengthening these skills, students will become more capable, independent learners who can contribute positively to society.
