Pasig City’s local government is looking for funds to provide its students with learning gadgets. Mayor Vico Sotto said that they are working closely with the Department of Education (DepEd) to find ways on how the city can continue education amid quarantine.
Sotto has yet to announce the specifications of the learning gadgets and its distribution.
Although President Rodrigo Duterte disapproved of DepEd’s decision to resume classes in August, Sotto said that they will be preparing for classes whether virtual or physical. If classes will be held digitally, the local government will devise improved internet connections for barangays. Students will be given their own personal devices in the case of both face-to-face or virtual resumption of classes.
“We are already working with the Department of Education for any possibility for our students,” said Sotto.
We are working with the Dept of Education for any possibility for our students
a) Resumption of classes
b) Virtual classesIn case of B we are preparing better internet connections at the brgy level.
Whether A or B, we are identifying funds for personal devices for students. https://t.co/dSaRA07YYx
— Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) May 25, 2020
In his latest presidential address last night, May 25, President Duterte stated that the reopening of classes should not be continued until a vaccine can be found.
“For this generation, wala nang makatapos na doktor pati engineer. Kasi hindi na, wala nang aral. Laro na lang. Unless I am sure that they are really safe,” Duterte said. “[…] It’s useless to be talking about the opening of classes. Para sa akin, bakuna muna. Pag nandyan ang bakuna, okay na.”
According to the May 11 announcement of DepEd, school year 2020-2021 will begin on Aug. 24, physically or virtually, depending on the state of the pandemic. Online education and other flexible distance-learning systems can be implemented by schools and universities. No announcements have been made by the department following the president’s latest statement.
Header photo courtesy of Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
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