Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 19) The Department of Education (DepEd) signed separate agreements with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and two ICT firms to improve digital connectivity in public schools and give more access to students to its digital learning platforms.
The product of the two government agencies agreement is the establishment of the Public Education Network, which will provide more digital communication between public schools nationwide and DepEd.
The DICT will be responsible in encouraging public schools to hire ICT service providers, providing online resources, materials, and systems for educational use, and coordinating with National Telecommunications Commission for any problems in digital connectivity.
In addition, the DICT will be tasked to augment future satellite capacity of DepEd for Last Mile Schools students to access digital education using fiber-optic network connection. Last Mile Schools are those which have less than four classrooms, no funds for repairs, and are located in a far-flung area that is more than one hour away from the city center.
The two agencies will also work together to determine suitable real estate properties, owned or under the administration of DepEd, where cell sites can be built to further enhance digital connectivity of public schools.
Amidst the challenges of the present, the national government is stepping up and embracing the advantages of digital transformation to support education delivery and build an enabling and innovative future for the Filipino people, DepEd said in a statement.
Meanwhile, DepEd also inked an agreement with ICT firms Converge and Pacific Kable Net for the free use of their fiber connectivity and cable channels in delivering digital learning materials to learners.
DepEd Usec. Alain Pascua said the agencys learning platforms like DepEd Commons, DepEd TV, DepEd Learning Management System, and Learning Resources Portal will reach more disadvantaged and marginalized communities because of the deal inked with Converge and Pacific Kable Net.
Connectivity and accessibility will no longer become challenges but will now become realities, connecting the disconnected, and ensuring that no Filipino learner will be left behind, said Pascua.
Filipino learners are utilizing blended learning modes in their classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, where all schools are ordered closed by the government to prevent further transmission of the coronavirus. This involves internet-based sessions, radio and TV broadcasts of educational materials, and printed self-learning modules for children.
President Rodrigo Duterte has banned face-to-face classes until a vaccine is available for wide distribution.
The Department of Education signed separate agreements with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and two ICT firms to improve digital connectivity in public schools and give more access to students to its digital learning platforms.
