DEPED COMPUTERIZATION PROGRAM CAPACITATES LEARNERS, TEACHERS FOR 21ST CENTURY

CHARITO I. JIMENEZ

The Department of Education (DepEd) raises the Information Communication Technology (ICT) literacy of learners, teachers, and school heads by integrating ICT in the school system, and by providing computer laboratory packages to secondary schools and e-Classroom to elementary schools nationwide through its Computerization Program (DCP).

Under the DCP, schools receive information technology (IT) equipment such as host personal computers, terminals, laptops, projectors, uninterruptible power supplies, automatic voltage regulators (AVR), and other network accessories. Training on simple trouble shooting is also given to the beneficiaries.

To ensure that recipient schools are capable of maintaining the IT equipment, the DepEd Division Office IT Officers conducted school readiness assessments.

Schools now have secured multimedia classrooms with proper electrical wirings and outlets duly certified by the municipal/ city electrician, computer tables, 50 pieces mono chairs, and at least two stand fans.

Schools also have sufficient electrical lighting, and schools without access to electricity were provided with an alternative computer laboratory packages.

In the early years of implementation from 2008 to 2013, the DCP packages were procured by the Department of Budget and ManagementProcurement Service (DBM-PS), while in 2014 and 2015, the DCP packages were procured by DepEd. Moreover, DepEd tapped the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to procure and deliver the unenergized IT equipment packages to recipient schools not powered by local grid in Luzon and Mindanao, and the IT packages for SHS.

For 2017, the government has allotted P6 billion funds under the General Appropriations Act (GAA). With this, the DepEd has targeted 29,755 DCP packages to 24,518 additional school recipients nationwide. — oOo—

The author is Teacher III at Sta. Maria Elementary School, Macabebe West District, Pampanga