As the Department of Education (DepEd) prepares for the start of ‘blended learning’ beginning on August 24, 2020, a lot of parents expressed concern that their kids might not be able to go to school this year.
Most parents are unable to buy gadgets for their children to attend online school, though the DepEd promises that printed learning materials will be provided for the learners via the local government units (LGUs). Moreover, there is a problem of teachers also having no laptops to use.
With that in mind, the Manila City LGU decided to provide teachers and students with much-needed gadgets. Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno announced that the city has allotted Php994 million in order to provide laptops to teachers and tablets to students.
Photo credit: Yugatech
A total of 10,300 teachers serving in public schools in the city will receive a free laptop while 110,000 learners from Kinder to Grade 12 will be provided with their own tablets.
“Bibili tayo ng 110,000 na tablet para sa mga batang Maynila. Walang [gastos] na ang mga magulang,” the Mayor announced. “Ma’am, sir, mga teacher, wag kayong mag-alala. May laptop kayong lahat. Bibili tayo ng 11,000 para sa lahat.
Since the internet connection is also a major issue for many, learners and teachers alike, the city government also plans to provide the service for everyone.
Photo credit: BatangMaynila.Media / CC BY-SA
“Nais kong ipabatid sa inyo, yung 110,000 lahat yun may sim card, lahat ‘yun buwan-buwan may load na 10 gigabite [data],” Mayor Isko added.
“Mga teacher, ‘wag kayong mag-alala. Bibili tayo ng Wifi connector… ng pocket Wifi, tapos may load din ‘yun. Nire-refill natin every month. Kaya wala ring [gastos] yung mga teacher natin.”
The good news was met with praise across social media. Many netizens were hoping that mayors in their respective areas would also follow suit.
