ACCESS TO DIGITAL LEARNING RESOURCES

JANNICAH MARIE G. ALCOY

Officials have highlighted urgency to establish a nationwide program that would provide all barangays free access to digital learning resources. The Department of Education (DepEd), through House Bill (HB) No. 9581 or the E-Book for the Barangay Program Act of 2023, will be to tapped to spearhead the program aimed at addressing limited access to educational resources, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. The bill’s author cited the limited physical library infrastructures, inadequate reading materials, and a lack of access to up-to-date digital learning tools. This exacerbates significant challenges in terms of providing equitable access to educational resources, especially in rural and marginalized communities. The proposed legislation seeks to “establish and launch a progressive initiative designed to bridge the digital divide, promote digital literacy, and improve access to quality educational resources for all Filipinos.” The E-books barangay program will include a digital library platform that will provide a secure and organized database of digital learning resources, including e-books, video lectures, simulations, and other relevant materials in various fields of study and in languages suitable for the local community. The program would also initiate distribution of electronic devices such as tablets or e-readers, particularly in areas with limited Internet access, she added. Officials said there is a need to guarantee equal access to education and learning materials to everyone, especially those who live in farflung areas.

-oOoThe author is a Teacher I at Sitio Mindanao Integrated School