Pupils not required to buy gadgets — DepEd

Published June 21, 2020, 2:15 PM

Basic education pupils are not required to purchase gadgets and laptops as the Department of Education (DepEd) stressed that blended and distance learning are not limited to online means as there are other ways to teach them.

This was according to Curriculum and Instruction Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio in a radio interview on DZBB on Sunday.

He said that it was clear that when the agency prepared the learning continuity plan in consultation with all sectors led by DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones that online was not the only option for the children to learn amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Talagang binigyan diin natin yung distance learning na hindi lang online kasi alam naman natin na totoong maraming lugar at mga pamilya yung nasa liblib na lugar ang talagang kahit may gadget ay hindi naman magkakaroon ng access sa internet kasi walang signal,” San Antonio said.

(We really stressed that distance learning is not online because many families in far-flung areas even with gadgets have no internet access because there’s no signal.)

He said that the agency has readied printed self-learning modules for distance learning. The announcement of no face to face classes according to San Antonio gave the idea to parents that learning will only be online but he said that those without access to the internet, with no gadgets will be getting the printed modules.

San Antonio added that those with gadgets but have no internet connection can be given a flashdrive where they can open the modules on their devices which according to him is cheaper than printing modules. Due to this, the agency is finding out the number of enrollees who own gadgets so they can provide the printed modules to those who actually need it.

No face to face classes in COVID-free areas

San Antonio said that DepEd will abide by the President’s decision that there will be no face to face classes until a vaccine is available even for those areas without a COVID-19 outbreak.

He said that together with the distance learning that they have planned, the agency also expects teachers to visit pupils who are in need of support every other time.They are encouraging DepEd officials in the field who can volunteer to guide families at parents who are not capable of helping their children with their studies.

Volunteers who are college graduates or teacher applicants who are not yet licensed but are willing to undergo training to monitor pupils who are studying at home are also encouraged, San Antonio said. He lauded local government units who expressed support to volunteers by providing them with allowances.

With all the preparations made, San Antonio said that classes will push through on August 24.

“Ang paninindigan po ng lahat po yata sa amin sa DepEd ay kung may nagsasabi na mas mataas na authority sa amin ay makikinig naman kami at kami ay susunod pero po ang aming paghahanda ay nakatuon po kami sa August 24,” he said.

(We in DepEd are firm with our decision but we will follow if a higher authority states otherwise nevertheless our preparations are focused on August 24.)

SOURCE: https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/06/21/pupils-not-required-to-buy-gadgets-deped/