93 percent of public schools receive devices from DepEd — official

Public secondary teachers undergo webinar training on the utilization of the e-Learning platform by the Schools Division of Marikina on July 21. 2020, at the Jesus Dela Pena National High School in Marikina City in preparation for the blended learning approach by the Department of Education. The training program was initiated by the LGU Marikina and DeoEd Marikina. INQUIRER file photo / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 1,042,575 devices have been distributed to 43,948 public schools, which comprise 93 percent of all public schools in the country, the Department of Education said Monday as it gears for the opening of classes amid the coronavirus disease pandemic.

DepEd Director for Information and Communications Technology Service Abram Abanil bared this figure as the department continues its preparations for the blended learning to be implemented for School Year 2020 to 2021.

“This accounts for 93 percent ng ating schools ay meron na tayong mga iba’t-ibang computers, laptops, at tablets na magagamit ng ating mga kabataan,” Abanil told a press briefing.

(This accounts for 93 percent of all schools that have computers, laptops, and tablets which can be used by the youth.)

Abanil said another 211,344 devices will be delivered to students by December 2020, citing delays caused by COVID-19.

He said the devices delivered by DepEd will “augment” the existing devices owned by students.

“Sinigurado namin na ‘yung mga systems na dineploy natin ay naka-zero rate sa telcos para magamit ito ng ating mga kabataan using their smartphones even without having any load para mag-access ng mobile data,” the official also said.

(We assured that the systems we have deployed have zero rate in telcos so that the youth can use it using their smartphones even without having any load for mobile data.)

In terms of capacity building, Abanil disclosed that DepEd has already trained a total of 385,471 teachers on ICT-based teaching through online trainings, which accounts for 45 percent of teachers nationwide.

“We have also prepared 1.5 hours of video lecture on how to use the learning management system that we broadcasted through TV noong August 11 sa dry run namin (in our dry run on August 11),” said Abanil.

He explained that DepEd’s intention in having video lectures is to reach out through the television, teachers who do not have access to the internet.

According to Abanil, DepEd is now in the process of developing an orientation program for parents and students using television as a medium so they can also learn how to use the learning management system for the resumption of classes.

As of Monday morning, over 23.6 million learners have so far enrolled for School Year 2020 to 2021. DepEd said this is 85 percent of last year’s 27.85 million registered students.

The opening of classes in public schools was earlier moved from the original date of August 24 to October 5. Private schools were allowed to resume classes before the latter date.

JPV