DepEd provides IT equipment for K to 12 implementation
The Department of Education is set to deliver information technology equipment to stand-alone Senior High Schools (SHS) nationwide to support the implementation of the K to12 Program.
Education Secretary Brother Armin A. Luistro FSC said, “What we need is to bring technology into the classroom and not be fully dependent on a textbook or the teacher. Computers will never replace teachers. Technology should allow teachers to spend more time to those who need it more.”
Each Senior High School will receive an IT equipment package which consists of 7 host personal computers (PCs), 42 terminals, 2 laptops, 2 projectors, 7 uninterruptible power supplies, 7 automatic voltage regulators and other network accessories.
In line with this, DepEd has conducted a demonstration on installation and configuration of the actual IT equipment at Pateros National High School. The event was attended by Education Secretary Brother Armin A. Luistro FSC and UNDP Country Director Mr. Titon Mitra.
“What you are seeing are digitized modules for Grade 11. I’ve always dreamt that our schools should not be textbook dependent,” Luistro added.
DepEd partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to procure and deliver the IT equipment package for the schools. With its global experience and track record in coimplementing programs with governments, including implementation of government projects using government funds, UNDP delivers the highest standards of transparency and achieves cost efficiency and timely delivery of project outputs through more flexible procurement procedures.
“What you’re seeing now is the fastest procurement of IT packages in a government agency. UNDP came to us as an answer to our prayer,” Luistro said.
This partnership enables DepEd to have access to its global network of service providers and experts and use available corporate and regional longterm framework agreements, which can facilitate and shorten the procurement process.
With just 3 months of procurement, UNDP was able to award contracts for the provision of 184 ICT packages to SHS stand-alone schools within the budget provided by DepEd.
DepEd has started the roll out of SHS nationwide beginning with Grade 11 this school year and Grade 12 next year to complete the 12-year basic education cycle under the K to 12 Program.
Some 11,000 public and private senior high schools nationwide opened their doors to the pioneering batch of Grade 11 students.