Ikaw Mismo!

In recent years, the youth in the Philippines have shown a lack of interest in engagement in civic participation. Despite the country’s rich history of social and political movements, many young Filipinos are disengaged and uninterested in civic affairs, resulting in a lack of critical thinking, low voter turnout, and ineffective governance. This can be attributed to several factors including the lack of education in civic participation in schools, the perceived inability of the youth to effect change, the absence of youth-friendly platforms for civic engagement, and the culture of complacency and apathy

However,  in the 2022 national elections, we’ve witnessed a new era of change amongst the younger generation. We witnessed the active participation of the youth in online and offline civic engagements during the election season. In voting rights alone, the official voter statistics showed that 56 percent of voters, or over 32.7 million are members of the youth population. This is an increase from the 2016’s national election where only 37 percent of voters were youth voters and in 2010 where 40 percent of the voters' population was youth. The Philippines have also witnessed the youth leading door-to-door campaigning for political candidates and the rise of social media campaigning and online political discourse. 

Despite the increase of civic participation amongst the youth in the last election, we recognize the work is unfinished. 

Primarily we want to invigorate the youth’s zeal to spark change through an awareness and education campaign. We want to reach out to the over 33 million youth population and over 10 million future voters and youth leaders. We aim to educate them on civic engagement activities beyond the national elections like participating in their communities, their local barangay activities, and Sangguniang Kabataan or their barangay’s youth council. 

Secondly, we recognize the need to educate and empower the youth to become active citizens in our secondary schools. One factor that perpetuates the lack of interest in civic action is the absence of comprehensive civic education in our schools and the education curriculum itself. The Philippine senior high school curriculum only covers eight subtopics on civic education and discusses mainly culture and society more than citizenship. 

We recognize the need to create a comprehensive, relatable, and practical civic education curriculum that educators can easily incorporate into their lessons. By doing this, we can address the learning gap in civic education and encourage the youth to participate actively in civic life. 

Edukasyon aims to develop a comprehensive civic education learning platform through its gamified short online modules called Quests. This will be called 'Ikaw Mismo' which in english means 'You Yourself'. Quests allow us to break down complex lessons into bite-sized, comprehensible tasks. A user learning journey includes reading an article, taking a quiz, watching a video, or directing them to other learning resources outside the website. 

We have improved this learning platform to cater to the younger generation where users are rewarded with experience points after completing each task and quest. These rewards can be exchanged with online rewards like vouchers or online coupons. 

The user journey, experience, and content are designed to match the young generation’s tech behavior and consumption of multimedia. Edukasyon’s project team will ensure to create a duplicate of the learning modules that can be delivered by educators offline.

Ikaw Mismo’s target audience is Filipino youth ages 16-18 or high school students in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades who want to be educated and empowered to become active citizens that contribute to change in their schools and communities. There are approximately 10 million Filipino youth in the Philippines. 

The age group is at a crucial point in their lives where they are beginning to form their identities and understand their role in society. Although the Philippine educational curriculum includes civic education lessons, they are lacking, outdated and are only eight subtopics covering mostly culture and society more than citizenship. By 18, the youth have the right to vote and we recognize the importance of equipping them with the right skills and knowledge in order to create civic decisions that impact themselves and their community. 

In addition, we are witnessing the youth taking up more space in the digital world and utilizing this platform to learn, express themselves, and share various information. In the Philippines alone, out of the 84.45 million social media users in the Philippines, about 30.6 percent are 18-24 years old. We know that the digital landscape can become a dangerous place for the youth who can become victims and offenders of misinformation, disinformation, and many more. 

With all this, we want to engage, educate and empower these youth to become agents of change through informative, updated, and relatable online modules under Ikaw Mismo. We aim to see well-informed, engaged, and digitally resilient future voters after they’ve finished the Ikaw Mismo Quests. 

Edukasyon.ph a youth-empowered social innovator, leader, and entrepreneur, being one of the country's earliest social innovators and the leading youth ed-tech platform in the Philippines. 

Edukasyon is well positioned to deliver this solution as primarily, our organization has a deep understanding of the Filipino youth population. Edukasyon.ph has built a comprehensive database of schools and scholarship programs for learners to explore and apply for. Our online platform now boasts over 13,000 school and university profiles, 60,000 college course listings, and over 2,300 scholarship program listings. This database along with our various online learning content has allowed us to attract one of the biggest student audiences in the country. This along with our other programs has allowed us to gather data and understand the youth’s interests and online behavior. 

Secondly, Eduaksyon’s team has a strong tech expertise in developing its online learning modules of Quests since its launch 3 years ago. Since then, we have developed 27 online quests and garnered over 38,000 quest-takers.  In the last three years, Edukasyon.ph has successfully implemented multiple programs for the youth including online learning campaigns, training programs, utilized relevant platforms to reach our audience, implemented online and hybrid engagement activities, and developed multiple quests and rewards. 

Lastly, Edukayson has a strong network of partners in the education, corporate, and social development space who are key leaders in supporting learners and improving education in the Philippines. We have been running learning campaigns, modules, and capacity-building programs with them that support Filipino youth with holistic learning and life skills. With these partnerships, we were able to create youth programs and campaigns on leadership, civic education, sex education, girl and women empowerment, career readiness, and climate action among others. 

We are applying to Solve to receive support in improving our gamified online learning platform.  First, we aim to receive access to funding to further support the uninterrupted and timely development of our technology. Second, as this ventures into the B2C market in ed-tech after years of strengthening our B2B model and strategy, we require technical and market support to refine our ed-tech product offering to Filipino families, children, and parents. We pride ourselves on being able to build a sustainable B2B model that has been able to fundraise more than USD 2 million. Lastly, we aim to receive monitoring and evaluation support to build an impact measurement practice that will not only be used for this civic education platform but across our e-learning solutions.

Through the support of Solve, we can provide the youth with additional online modules on civic education which will contribute to their holistic life skills resources available for free on the Edukasyon website. The funding will also allow us to further our impact and extend our reach to our target audience which are the future voters and leaders of our nation. 

IKAW MISMO is an online gamified learning platform on civic education that is an innovative solution to engage and educate Filipino youth on civic education. This gamified approach to civic education is a fresh and exciting alternative to traditional classroom-based learning, which can be dull and unengaging for many students. Some key points as to why IKAW MISMO is an innovative learning solution: 

Firstly, IKAW MISMO’s gamification enhances engagement. Gamified learning materials can make the learning experience more enjoyable and interactive, which can increase engagement and motivation. By integrating game mechanics such as cross-platform tasks, experience points, and completion rewards like online vouchers creates an immersive and interactive learning experience where learners are more likely to stay focused and committed to the learning process.

Secondly, it fosters active learning. Gamified learning materials encourage learners to be more active and involved in the learning process. This approach is more effective than passive learning methods, such as lectures or reading, because it promotes retention and application of knowledge.

Third, IKAW MISMO provides immediate feedback as gamified learning materials can provide instant feedback on learner performance, which is an essential component of effective learning. Immediate feedback helps learners identify areas of strength and weakness, and adjust their learning strategies accordingly.

Lastly, it is a personalized learning experience. Gamified learning materials can be designed to adapt to each learner's needs and preferences, providing a more personalized learning experience. This approach can be particularly effective for learners with different learning styles and abilities.

Our impact goal for the next year is to successfully launch IKAW MISMO,  the comprehensive civic education Quest which will provide a holistic learning experience for the youth. We aim to see a significant increase in learners' knowledge and understanding of civic participation on a local and national level, digital resiliency, and media literacy. We aim that the youth will not only be knowledgeable about the different roles and responsibilities as an active citizens and apply these learnings to their everyday lives. 

Zooming in on our measurable goals, we want to reach a minimum of 1,000 learners ages 16-18 across the Philippines in our first year. By the fifth year, we want to attain at least 50,000 learners or quest takers of IKAW MISMO. We will achieve these numbers through our partnership network of over 80 schools and NGOs with learning communities in the Philippines.

Secondly, we aim to see a positive shift in educators' attitudes toward empowering their students to learn about and practice safe, democratic ways of civic engagement. We want to provide training and support for educators to implement the IKAW MISMO online curriculum in their classrooms. We aim to train and support a total of 50 educators in the first year and a total of 500 educators in the next five years.  

Lastly, our long-term goal is to establish a comprehensive civic education online learning platform as a leading and sustainable solution for civic education in the Philippines. As we continue to develop more learning content, we want to publish them on a one-stop microsite for civic education where an AI-powered chatbot is included for further learner support.

Similar to our other programs, Edukasyon’s project team will measure its progress through a monitoring and evaluation plan. For the IKAW MISMO program, we’ll measure our progress through the following: 

• The number of users taking and completing the IKAW MISMO quest. Edukasyon’s website is equipped with tools that gather these data on our learning platform 

• Learning impact through pre and post-program assessment quizzes that are built within the online learning module. 

• The number of post-program civic engagement activities done by its youth quest completers. This sample data will be acquired by establishing partnerships with schools and educators nationwide. 

Activity:

1. Online content campaign on key civic education topics and the role of youth in civic engagements. 

2. Developing the IKAW MISMO online quest . 

3. Building partnerships with schools and NGOs with learning communities to achieve target audience. 

4. Train educators on how to deliver the IKAW MISMO online quest in their classrooms. 

5. Create a platform or network of young people, school organizations to amplify efforts and encourage sharing of ideas and collaboration. 

Output

1. The Filipino youth, especially those ages 16-18 are taking and completing the  IKAW MISMO Quest. 

2. Educators and partner NGOs are delivering the IKAW MISMO to their learner groups and communities. 

Outcome: 

1. Increased civic education literacy and digital resiliency amongst the Filipino youth. 

2. Teachers are empowering their students to learn more about civic engagement and take part in civic engagements in school and in their local communities. 

Long-Term Outcome: 

1. The youth are actively engaged in civic activities like volunteering, and local government unit activities, and take an active role in the national elections. 

2. Reduce the stigma in taking part in civic activities as the majority of the youth are empowered to engage in civic activities. 

3. Increased number of voter registration amongst the youth.

Edukasyon.ph is the largest edtech platform in the Philippines empowering millions of Gen Z students aged 13 to 24 to explore within reach and learn with purpose. Students use the website to gain access to schools, scholarships, online courses, and other resources that enable them to make self-aware education decisions that lead to a fulfilling career and life. Edukasyon.ph, launched in 2015, also operates the website FindUniversity.ph and attracts more than 10 million visits each year on web (30%) and mobile (70%). 

In addition, Edukasyon.ph’s utilizes it’s edtech products to  support and over 50 development organizations in scaling education projects online. Notable digital learning programs include efforts on education affordability, women empowerment, tech-voc, career awareness, OSAEC prevention, and climate action. Our database and content management system allow us to store and organize user data and a wide range of multi-media content learning materials. 

Zooming in on Edukasyon’s ed-tech product Quest and Rewards, which will be used to power the IKAW MISMO online module, this is Edukasyon’s platform for delivering engaging, bite-sized learning experiences. Within the platform, we have ‘Quests’ that educate learners on many relevant topics like financial literacy, hygiene and health, technical education, etc. Think of these individual ‘Quests’ as modules—in each ‘Quest’, there are ‘tasks’ that learners need to complete like answering surveys, taking personality quizzes, reading articles, and watching videos. By completing these ‘tasks’, learners can complete the ‘Quest’ and earn digital coins which they can exchange for rewards like e-vouchers within the Edukasyon.ph platform. 

The platform is hosted and powered by Amazon Web Services and its technologies for security and scalability. 

Diversity & Equity 

Edukasyon is committed to implementing and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusivity in the work that we do. We continue to build a robust, diverse talent pool to support the company’s growth and goal to reach and impact students from all backgrounds. Edukasyon.ph comprises of 24 Female and 11 Male employees and is led by an all-women leadership team, including the company's CEO. The organization has a relatively young workforce of millennials and Gen Z’s which helps us in crafting programs for the youth. 

Our organization ensures there is an equal opportunity for all employees regardless of background. Edukasyon’s human resources team ensures that policies are in place and are followed to create a positive culture of diversity and equity. 

Edukasyon has been in a work-from-home set-up since the pandemic which has furthered our diversity as we welcome new employees from the farthest islands of the Philippines. 

On Inclusivity

At Edukasyon.ph, we recognize that every person is important regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, and economic standing. The management team as well as the company’s operations team continue to implement programs that promote a positive workplace culture and invite diversity within the organization. 

These values are translated in our initiatives and programs as we craft core activities and services ranging from online content campaigns, hybrid events, and training, to our education tech solutions. These programs include crafting a communication toolkit, seminars, and a series of communities of practice that break gender barriers in Tech-Voc education and employment;  In a partnership USAID Opportunity 2.0, we created digital skills training for out-of-school youth; and in a partnership with ADB, we developed an ed-tech solution that digitized DepEd learning modules for learners in last mile schools. 

In addition, our project management team continues to promote progressive and sensitive communication that is gender-sensitive in all our campaigns and services so that we remain as inclusive as possible. We continue to strive to do all we possibly can to promote inclusivity not only in our organization but in the programs that we develop and implement.

Edukasyon utilizes a B2B business model to scale its learning platform and generate sustainable revenue for the organization. Funding support from our partners allows us to create free and accessible ed-tech products and learning programs for millions of Filipino youth nationwide. 

After acquiring initial funding for a pilot program, we aim to scale our reach by tapping into Edukasyon’s network of B2B partners (private companies, NGOs, and schools). Through this network, we also aim to secure program funding to support future iterations of the IKAW MISMO program. 

This business model is beneficial to eduaksyon’s programs like IKAW MISMO as it allows us to reach our target audience and impact goals, connect partners to programs that support Filipino learners nationwide, and overall improve the quality of education for millions of Filipinos nationwide. 

As mentioned earlier, Edukasyon will use its B2B business model to scale the platform and generate sustainable revenue for the organization. Funding support from our partners allows us to create a free and accessible learning platform for Filipino youth nationwide. 

Edukasyon takes pride in our steadfast relationships with private and public sector partners in the Philippines that allow us to fully scale Edukasyon projects locally and internationally, reach hundreds and thousands of students per individual project, and carry out sustainability measures.

Over the past few years, Edukasyon has implemented ed-tech learning solutions and programs worth over USD 2,000,000 through partnerships with private and public sector entities.

In addition, Edukasyon has successfully applied for local and international grants, which have provided further funding opportunities for scaling our programs. Through this business model and funding opportunities, we have developed similar learning platforms on various topics, such as sex education, financial literacy, voter registration, and women and girls' empowerment in Tech Voc and STEM.

Edukasyon takes pride in delivering high-quality learning programs to learners and education stakeholders. Over the past three years, Edukasyon has successfully secured grant funding and social development partnerships that enabled our learning programs to scale.

In 2020, Edukasyon received grant funding of over USD 63,000 for its Best Friends of the Forest program which helped over 100 university students to become environmental champions. The program received additional funding of over USD 54,000 in 2022 to continue the project implementation phase of its champions. Edukasyon also received over USD 80,000 in funding from the Enrique Zobel Foundation in the same year to develop an online career and readiness learning platform for Junior High School Students. 

In 2021, Edukasyon received over USD 73,000 in funding from DFAT’s Investing in Women program to implement its Yaring Pinay program, which aims to break gender barriers in the field of TechVoc. Over the past two years, the program received an additional USD 173,000 to continue and further expand its reach. Edukasyon also partnered with ADB in 2021 to create ed-tech solutions for last-mile schools in the country. Since then we’ve received a funding of over USD 231,253. In the same year, Edukasyon received over USD 22,600 in grant funding from Deloitte to pilot its Tech-Voc accelerator program. Brainsparks has also partnered with Edukasyon, providing over USD 67,700 in program funding to develop a series of online learning modules on positive learning habits during the pandemic. 

These are some of Edukasyon's innovative learning solutions for various partners in the social development sector and have impacted thousands of Filipino learners. We envision IKAW MISMO to become Edukasyon’s flagship project in civic education and we look forward to identifying future partners to support us in scaling the program over the years.