P754B for education: Radios, modules on ‘must-buy’ list

The government has allocated P754.4 billion of its proposed 2021 budget of P4.506 trillion for the education sector, as it shifts toward “blended” and distance learning amid the continuing threat from the coronavirus pandemic.

“For 2021, the Department of Education (DepEd) targets to print 944.4 million learning modules as well as provide transistor radios for learners who have limited access or have absolutely no access to technology,” the President said in his budget message to Congress.

He said 37,221 multimedia packages, each consisting of a laptop and a television set, will be distributed to public schools nationwide under the DepEd computerization program.

The President allotted P15.2 billion for the expansion and institutionalization of flexible and multimodal learning and teaching options, and P9 billion for DepEd’s computerization program.

“In addition, the DepEd will allot P24.1 billion to construct 5,174 new classrooms and procure 38,917 sets of school seats, among others, under its basic education facilities program,” he said.

Allocations

The DepEd will get P606.5 billion under the proposed budget.

This is followed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) with P50.9 billion, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) with P13.7 billion.

Funding for the education sector also includes P16.1 billion for the implementation of the basic education learning continuity plan program.

Other key allocations under education are:

• P44.2 billion under the CHED to support the free higher education of 1.34 million students in state and local universities and colleges, the tertiary education subsidy for 679,735 students, and the student loan program for 16,000 enrolled in higher education institutions.

• P2.9 billion under the Tesda to fund the free technical-vocational education and training of 21,233 students;

• P26.3 billion worth of vouchers and education subsidies to 2.7 million junior and senior high school students under the DepEd’s education service contracting for junior high school, and senior high school and joint delivery voucher programs;

• P1.5 billion under the CHED for financial assistance to 44,115 qualified students;

• P200 million under the Tesda for training fees and allowances of 8,333 students.

The President also cited the importance of including health literacy in the curriculum to foster a better response to the pandemic.

“I have given specific instructions to Education Secretary Leonor ‘Liling’ Briones to capacitate our educators/teachers to have sufficient and reasonable information to help our citizens equip themselves with at least a basic level of health literacy skills to better respond to a pandemic or disaster, in particular, the prevention of infection,” Mr. Duterte said.