By John Clifford Lintao
VICE President Leni Robredo cited the need for the Department of Education to realign its P29-billion budget for rehabilitation of school buildings for procurement of gadgets and other equipment for distance learning.
In an August 10 letter she wrote and sent to Education Secretary Leonor Briones, Robredo also hinted at funds for hazard pay for educators amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
She explained that the education department will have to change priorities as to how to spend its resources amid the looming school opening anchored on distance learning and online classes due to COVID-19 threat.
“Around 29.5 billion was earmarked for the rehabilitation of school buildings for 2020. Given the shift to distance learning, many of these school buildings will be left without children to occupy them, thus deprioritizing the need for the rehabilitation of physical spaces,” Robredo, a former college professor, said.
“This amount can be used to procure the needed gadget and equipment for distance learning, as well as address the health concerns of educators.”
Robredo said 61 percent or 14 million households do not have internet access, and that 74 percent or 34,700 schools in the country do not have the infrastructure to engage in online learning.
While modules are made available under DepEd Commons, Robredo said that her office has received reports that only seven million students have subscribed to DepEd Commons platform or 20 million public students in the country.
“Perhaps it would be prudent for the government to devote significant resources in setting up internet hubs in schools and communities, so that gaps in access are addressed,” Robredo pointed out.
Aside from access to modules and internet connection, Robredo called for protection for educators.