Internet connection for public schools

Carolina G. Balastigue

THE national government has indeed shown support to the country’s shift to online learning because of the coronavirus.

Not only did the administration support the Department of Education’s Basic Education-Learning Continuity Program, but is will also allocate some P700 million to provide internet service to 7,000 schools nationwide.

According to the President, the DepEd is “procuring internet connection for 7,000 schools to increase the total number of public schools with internet access.”

The target completion of the project will be in ten months.

This move is in preparation for the blended learning approach, which is a combination of online distance learning and in-person delivery of learning materials to the homes of the learners. Meanwhile, the radio and television will also be used for students who do not have access to a computer or the internet.

Earlier, the DepEd, through a memorandum, has allowed teachers to bring home DepEd-bought devices for use in distance learning.

The department, according to reports, had conducted a survey to determine issues and concerns on the opening of classes, including the learning modalities and availability of resources that can be used in alternative learning delivery.

The survey showed that the availability of devices is a limiting factor to technology-based approaches to learning.

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I at Manibaug Pasig Elementary School

The author is Principal