The Department of Education (DepEd) has launched an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tool to speed up student nutrition screening while reducing the administrative burden on teachers.
Called the “System for Intelligent Growth and Learner Anthropometry” (SIGLA), the mobile-based technology uses computer vision to estimate a student’s height and Body Mass Index (BMI), replacing the traditionally time-consuming manual measurement process.
Developed by the Education Center for AI Research (ECAIR), the tool aligns with World Health Organization (WHO) standards to improve the accuracy and efficiency of school-based health monitoring.
The initiative follows findings from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), which showed that teachers spend up to 55 percent of their time on non-teaching tasks.
“SIGLA represents a practical step toward reducing administrative burden among teachers while improving how we monitor learner well-being,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.
“By using a mobile phone to quickly identify students who need closer attention, we can deliver nutrition support sooner while giving teachers more time to focus on instruction.”
Using a smartphone, teachers can capture student images, which the AI system analyzes to flag potential risks such as stunting or underweight conditions. Despite its automation, DepEd emphasized that SIGLA will serve as a decision-support tool, with human oversight required for validation and follow-up care.
Educators say the system could significantly improve workflow. “Our challenge has always been the time spent gathering students’ BMI data,” said Daisy Cañizares, principal of Project 6 Special Science Elementary School. “SIGLA is more effective because it reduces manual steps, allowing teachers to focus more on teaching.”
Currently in pilot testing in select Metro Manila schools, SIGLA is being used alongside traditional methods to ensure accuracy. DepEd said a wider rollout will follow once validation is complete, marking a key step in integrating AI into the country’s education system.