The Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF), established in 1992 by John Gokongwei Jr. and his brothers Henry, Johnson, and James Go, has long been committed to making a lasting impact on education in the Philippines. With a vision of providing every Filipino access to education that enables meaningful work and contribution to both family and country, GBF focuses on advancing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education as a driving force for sustainable national development.
In line with this mission, GBF developed the Class Builder platform to support educators by offering innovative, ready-to-use lesson guides and materials. Aligned with the Department of Education’s Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST) and curriculum, Class Builder aims to enhance educators' content mastery and teaching skills over time. Currently, the platform covers Grade 4 and Grade 5 mathematics lessons and has been piloted in various school divisions across the National Capital Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Region I, Region IV-A, and Region XIII.
Dr. Edna D. Camarao, Public Schools District Supervisor of Cluster 2 and OIC Math Supervisor in Pasig City’s Schools Division Office, observed significant improvements in students' learning and interest in Mathematics due to Class Builder. She noted, “Everyone is prepared, and GBF has truly provided the resources teachers need to ensure effective Mathematics instruction.”
Ramona Baliwas, a teacher from Buting Elementary School in Pasig City, shared that the platform has been a blessing, refreshing her knowledge and reminding her of effective strategies. She expressed confidence in her daily class observations, stating, “I’m ready because I already have materials from GBF.”
Both educators believe that GBF Class Builder has increased students' interest in Mathematics. “You no longer hear things like, ‘Oh, it’s Mathematics again,’ or ‘Oh, we have to solve something again.’ Not anymore. They’re more excited about how they can answer the activities,” Baliwas said.
Dr. Camarao added, “We all know that students don’t usually like Mathematics, right? They always say it’s boring. But now, when I see the classes of our teachers whenever I visit or observe, they’re really very engaging. The students now love Mathematics.”
Looking ahead, GBF plans to expand and optimize the Class Builder platform to cover all levels in Mathematics and Science, and literacy in Grades 1 to 3, ultimately creating a robust support system for educators in the Philippines.
GBF's commitment to education is further demonstrated through partnerships with esteemed institutions such as the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) and Khan Academy Philippines. These collaborations aim to recognize and empower young emerging scientists and democratize digital learning, respectively, building a strong future for the nation’s next generation.
For more information on the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, visit gokongweibrothersfoundation.org
