More schools with ICT equipment

Belen M. Sangalang

IN the State of the National Address of President Duterte on Monday, he mentioned that the government plans to increase the number of schools with information and communications technology (ICT) equipment in the coming months.

This move is obviously in support to the Department of Education's (DepEd) Learning Continuity Program for blended learning, which it conceptualized given the health crisis the country is facing.

According to our President, the DepEd and the Department of Information and Communications Technology are building up a public education network that will connect all public schools and DepEd offices nationwide.

The President said in his address that online learning should be implemented this coming school year, as well as modular learning and radio and TV-based broadcast which students from different backgrounds can avail.

The DepEd will provide the printed modules to students who cannot afford online learning. In view of this, the President assured that the government will prioritize the connection of all last-mile schools with no electricity supply and have it via satellite and energized via solar panels.

TV frequencies reverted back to government for whatever cause or reason, he said, should be used to provide uninterrupted quality education to children and the shift to e-learning.

The use of the blended approach learning for students in the country came about as the President earlier said he will not allow face-to-face classes amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic until a vaccine against the disease becomes available.

The DepEd then issued a statement that it will follow the President’s directive.

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The author is Teacher III at San Roque National High School, Bamban, Tarlac