Teachers get support for distance learning program

Raquel P. Dizon

THE Department of Education has bared that public school teachers who hold distance-learning classes are provided with budgetary support.

According to the agency, teachers with a teaching load for the current school year get a P5,000 cash allowance, which covers annual medical and physical examination expense; Internet and other communication expenses; and purchase of teaching supplies and materials, tangible or intangible, for the implementation or conduct of various modes of learning delivery.

It can be recalled that the 2021 General Appropriations Act (GAA 2021) has allocated PHP4.37 billion for this purpose.

Apart from the cash allowance given directly to the teachers, the DepEd said the department has funds for its Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan, which includes the school and maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), provision of self-learning modules, computerization program, and human resource development.

For fiscal year 2021, the MOOE has an additional P4 billion on top of the P28-billion regular fund that would cover the purchase of face masks, face shields, alcohol, and disinfectants, among others.

Moreover, the budget for self-learning modules is PHP16.6 billion; for DepEd’s computerization program, PHP5.98 billion; and for human resource development, PHP1.8 billion.

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The author is Teacher III at Balitucan Elementary School, Magalang North District