‘Learner’s package’ aids Makati students in a school year like no other

MANILA, Philippines — In certain cities in Metro Manila, students have received brand-new gadgets for schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic. But in Makati, each student is provided not only a “learner’s package” but also assurance of accessible and quality education through the blended learning approach.

On Sept. 30, five days before the opening of the school year in the public education system, Mayor Abby Binay led the demonstration of the “On-The-Go (OTG) flash drive,” which is among the contents of the learner’s package given to each of the more than 85,000 public school students, from kindergarten to senior high school, in Makati.

“It is one of the primary tools we came up with to ensure that no student will be left behind as we go through the new normal in education,” Binay said.

The plug-and-play OTG flash drive contains digitized self-directed modules and video broadcast editions of lessons. With four types of USB plugs, it can be used, even without an internet connection, into such gadgets as a cell phone, laptop, desktop computer, tablet, or even a smart TV set.

Makati Schools Division Superintendent Anne Sevilla said the learner’s package had been distributed as early as July, in time for the supposed Aug. 24 opening of classes, which was eventually moved to Oct. 5.

The package also contains printed modules, notebooks and two washable face masks in a pouch.

The city government allotted a budget of P236.5 million for additional benefits for students—on top of the annual free school uniform, pairs of leather and rubber shoes, and school supplies—to help schools adapt to the pandemic.

‘NO ONE LEFT BEHIND’ Makati Mayor Abby Binay demonstrates the use of the On-The-Go flash drive, one of the educational tools provided by the city government for local public school students in the coming school year. —MAKATI CITY GOVERNMENT

Learning continuity plan

Each student will also receive a five-hour internet load daily. Over 2,500 laptops and internet subsidy will likewise be provided for teachers.

Makati’s “learning continuity plan” (LCP) addresses both the common and unique needs and concerns of students arising from the blended learning approach that consists of online and modular distance learning modalities.

“The plan deals with issues such as limited access to gadgets and internet connectivity. It contains ways and means to ensure continuous learning while keeping our students and teachers safe from COVID-19 infection,” Binay said.

“It also highlights the role of stakeholders, including teachers, parents, and barangay officials and workers, in the effective implementation of all the programs and initiatives detailed in the LCP. After all, the education of the youth is a shared responsibility, which requires no less than the collective effort of all stakeholders,” she added.

From the profiling conducted by the Department of Education Makati among over 78,000 public school enrollees and their parents to gauge their readiness for the school opening, it was found that only 74.9 percent have access to gadgets and internet connection, and that 24.4 percent have access to gadgets but are without stable internet connection.

The remaining 1.1 percent have no access to any of these gadgets. The national DepEd recommended that they use the ready printed modules.

But according to Sevilla, “students learn in different strategies” and unassisted learning through modules alone may be inadequate.

‘Dyipni Maki’

The Makati government is addressing this issue through mobile learning hubs that will be deployed to each of the city’s villages from morning to afternoon, Monday to Saturday.

Under the “Dyipni Maki” project, 29 jeepneys repurposed as mobile learning hubs will be equipped with laptops and internet connection, as well as an array of books and supplementary materials that parents can borrow.

The mobile learning hubs, both for grade school and high school, will also serve as a venue for learning and reading activities, book donation drives, and other activities promoting reading in communities.

Fifty-eight private school teachers who lost their jobs due to the pandemic have been hired to staff the hubs. “The teachers in Dyipni Maki will help students who have limited or no access to gadgets and internet, as well as parents who cannot assist their children,” Binay said.

Jeepney drivers displaced by the pandemic have also found employment in Dyipni Maki.

“We are glad that we have come up with this project that addresses multiple issues simultaneously,” Binay said. “Not only will it help students and their parents cope with the new blended learning approach in education, it will also provide much-needed employment to Makatizens.”

‘Life is tough’

Asked why the Makati government did not purchase gadgets for its students, unlike in the cities of Pasig, Manila, Quezon City and Parañaque, Binay said there was “no assurance that these would be used for educational purposes.”

Electronic gadgets also “cost a lot of money,” the mayor said. For example, she said, each tablet would cost around P7,000. Should the city government give one to each of the 85,000 students, the price would be around P600 million.

“What we also fear is if these tablets were to be sold, and we need to replace them. Life is tough, especially now that there is a pandemic,” Binay said.