ACT: Give gadgets, internet subsidy to students

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has called on the government to provide gadget and internet subsidy to millions of students struggling under the enhanced community quarantine. In a statement, the teachers’ group asked Congress to allocate a supplemental budget of P13.33 billion for tablets and 10-gigabyte monthly data provision to the poorest 5 percent of learners nationwide. Raymond Basilio, secretary general of ACT, said their request was based on their findings that online class participation dropped with families unable to afford connectivity expenses. “We are seeing an alarming rate of learning loss among students, worsened by the limitations imposed by an aidless [lockdown],” Basilio said. —Jodee A. Agoncillo