With classes set to resume in August, the Parañaque local government unit (LGU) prepares to aid public school students and teachers for the educational system’s shift to blended learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amounting to a total of P300 million, 7,000 tablets with subscriber identification module (SIM) cards will be distributed to kindergarten and Grade 1 students while 300 laptops and an internet allowance will be received by public school teachers from the LGU, according to Mayor Edwin Olivarez.
These gadgets are targeted to be delivered in July, according to City Treasurer Anthony Pulmano. And in case the national government pushes through with implementing online classes instead of face-to-face sessions once the school year resumes on Aug. 24, the LGU is also already scouting for a good location in two of their districts to build cell sites.
Meanwhile, a P6,000 annual allowance will also be given to junior and senior high school students. Amounting to a total of P200 million, these will be sourced from Parañaque’s special education fund.
In addition to distributing financial aid, Mayor Olivarez also asked parents to guide their children in their studies even if they are also busy at work.
Earlier on May 28, President Duterte expressed his support for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) plan of conducting “blended learning” as an alternative to face-to-face classes this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This approach seeks to have learning modules delivered to students’ homes along with the use of television, radio and the internet as media of instruction.
Last June 1, DepEd also commenced its remote enrollment in public schools to prepare for the scheduled start of classes.
Among the other LGUs allocating budgets to provide gadgets to public school students are the cities of Manila, which already set aside P994 million, and Pasig, which is identifying funds while coordinating with DepEd.
Header photo by F. Muhammad from Pixabay
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