Santa Rosa City LGU distributes 36,000 tablets to students for online class

LAGUNA, Philippines — The city government of Santa Rosa in Laguna province has become the latest local government unit to respond to the needs of blended education as it handed over more than 36,000 android tablets to its public school students and teachers over the weekend.

Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas led the first wave of distribution of the learning gadgets in a move described by beneficiaries as a huge help especially now that the education sector is struggling with both the online and modular modes of learning.

LOOK: The city government of Santa Rosa in Laguna province begins the distribution of more than 30,000 android tablets for public school students and teachers as the city responds to the demands of blended learning. 📷 Santa Rosa City FB page pic.twitter.com/RXAmgLAqOg

— carlo jacob molina (@carlomolina_) November 24, 2020

“The city government opted to procure the tablets since it is more cost-effective than having to print modules, which also adds to the burden of both teachers and parents as they adjust to this new mode of learning,” Arcillas said during the program held at the city’s sports complex on November 11.

Of the 36,830 tablets that are up for issuance across different public schools in the city, 15,900 are reserved for elementary pupils, 16,516 are for junior high school students, while the remaining 4,414 will be given to senior high school learners.

The tablets will replace the printed modules that were issued in the first quarter of the school year. The learners are also required to take proper care of the tablets as they will return the gadgets when the school year ends.

The distribution of gadgets is also expected to be completed before the second quarter starts.

Dessa Muyuela Ellorda, 41, resident of Barangay Pooc, said it will now be easier for her four children, who all received tablets, to attend classes online with the aid of the learning gadgets.

“It’s hard for me because I needed to walk just to get my modules. My situation is better now that I already received my tablet,” Ellorda’s eldest son, John Dale Ellorda, who is a Grade 10 student, told INQUIRER.net.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education reported that over 1 million devices that are necessary for blended learning had been distributed to 93 percent of teachers and students all over the nation. 

JPV