Bridging a digital divide: A critical analysis of contextual factors affecting ICT integration in Philippine schools

Allen A. Espinosa, Ma. Arsenia C. Gomez, Praksis A. Miranda, Adonis P. David, Edna Luz R. Abulon, Ma. Victoria C. Hermosisima, Edwin A. Quinosa Jr, Abegail A. Soliman, Jayson L. de Vera, Ian Harvey A. Claros, Hardie Gieben M. Cruz and Nepthalie SJ Gonzales
Philippine Normal University, Philippines

Our study provides a critical exploration of the factors limiting equal access to educational technology (EdTech) in the Philippines. Despite the Department of Education's commitment to using technology to improve learning outcomes, the Covid-19 pandemic has deepened existing disparities. Utilising a combination of a systematic literature review and qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussions, our research identifies key requirements for successful EdTech implementation. The study underscores the need for infrastructure development, leadership support, and strong partnerships to address these gaps. It offers strategic recommendations aimed at enhancing access to digital learning and supporting the nation's educational reform initiatives.
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Authors: Dr Allen A. Espinosa (corresponding author) is a professor of science education at the College of Advanced Studies and a fellow at the Educational Policy Research and Development Office of the Philippine Normal University, Manila 1000, Philippines. His research covers a wide range of topics, including policy research in education, teacher education, information disorder, and social justice in education. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4431-9016 Email: espinosa.aa@pnu.edu.ph Ma. Arsenia C. Gomez is an associate professor of social science education at the Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences of the Philippine Normal University, Manila 1000, Philippines. Her research interests centre on multicultural education, Muslim education, and Southeast Asian Studies. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9299-9928 Email: gomez.mac@pnu.edu.ph Praksis A. Miranda is an associate professor of social science education at the Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, College of Teacher Development, Philippine Normal University, Manila 1000, Philippines. He is also a fellow at the Research Management Office of the same university. His research interests are gender and education, social sciences, flourishing and wellbeing, and interdisciplinary studies. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0607-4097 Email: miranda.pa@pnu.edu.ph Adonis P. David is a professor of counselling and psychology at the College of Advanced Studies of the Philippine Normal University, Manila 1000, Philippines. His current research interests centre on the psychological well-being of teachers and counsellors, gender and education, and career development. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3792-8884 Email: david.ap@pnu.edu.ph Dr Edna Luz R Abulon is a professor of psychology at the Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences - College of Teacher Development, Philippine Normal University, Manila 1000, Philippines. She also serves as the member-secretary of the university's research ethics board. Her research interests include a wide range of topics in behavioural sciences and in teacher education. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5483-0021 Email: abulon.elr@pnu.edu.ph Ma. Victoria C. Hermosisima is a professor of assessment and evaluation at the Faculty of Educational and Information Sciences of the Philippine Normal University, Philippines. Her research interests are in the field of educational psychology, assessment and evaluation, teacher education, and educational policy research. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9348-7635 Email: hermosisima.mvc@pnu.edu.ph Edwin A Quinosa Jr is a graduate student at the Philippine Normal University and currently serves as a Social Studies Faculty at De La Salle Santiago Zobel School, Philippines. His research interests include civic education, educational technology, and education for sustainable development. Email: quinoa.eja@pnu.edu.ph Dr Abegail A Soliman is a Filipino educator and researcher specialising in science education. She earned her BSEd in Physics (cum laude) from the Philippine Normal University and an MA in Physics Teaching from UP Diliman under DOST-ASTHRDP. She completed her PhD in Science Education at PNU through the DOST-CBPSME scholarship, focusing on inquiry-based instruction in blended learning. Her work advances quality teaching and curriculum development in the Philippines. Email: soliman.aa@pnu.edu.ph Dr Jayson L de Vera is currently an assistant professor of science education in the Faculty of Science, Technology, and Mathematics at the Philippine Normal University, Philippines. His research interests encompass science education policies, curriculum development, sustainable environmental management, and leadership in education. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4307-6502 Email: devera.jl@pnu.edu.ph Ian Harvey Claros teaches Philippine literature, rhetoric, and ecocriticism at the Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines. He finished his AB/BSE Literature at the Philippine Normal University, and MA in Literary and Cultural Studies in Ateneo. His research work deals with vernacular and ecocritical interventions in memory and trauma studies. He recently published in Forum for Modern Language Studies (Oxford University Press) and eTropic: Electronic Journal of Studies in the Tropics. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7768-6909 Email: iclaros@ateneo.edu Hardie Gieben M. Cruz is an educator and researcher specialising in guidance and counselling. He earned his BS in Psychology (Magna Cum Laude; Class Valedictorian) and MA in Education in Guidance and Counselling from the Philippine Normal University. He is currently completing his dissertation and is a candidate for PhD in Guidance and Counselling at PNU. He is now working as the Director of Guidance and Counselling from the Far Eastern University, Philippines. His research interests include mental health, positive psychology, teacher education and guidance and counselling. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9920-2098 Email: cruz.hgm@pnu.edu.ph Dr Nepthalie SJ. Gonzales is a Filipino educator and researcher specialising in science education. He earned his PhD in Science Education from the Philippine Normal University and an MA in Education (Chemistry) from Bulacan State University. Formerly a teacher at Bahay Pare National High School, he now serves at the DepEd Central Office, Philippines. His research focuses on ICT integration in science teaching and the spiral progression curriculum. Recognised as an outstanding educator, his work continues to shape science education in the Philippines. Email: gonzales.ns@pnu.edu.ph Please cite as: Espinosa, A. A., Gomez, M. A. C., Miranda, P. A., David, A. P., Abulon, E. L. R., Hermosisima, M. V. C., Quinosa, E. A. Jr, Soliman, A. A., de Vera, J. L., Claros, I. H. A., Cruz, H. G. M. & Gonzales, N. SJ. (2025). Bridging a digital divide: A critical analysis of contextual factors affecting ICT integration in Philippine schools. Issues in Educational Research, 35(2), 526-549. http://www.iier.org.au/iier35/espinosa-2.pdf