DepEd says to prioritize schools in far-flung areas for internet access

Schools in far-flung areas will be prioritized by the Department of Education (DepEd) for internet access, one of its officials said Thursday.

Education Undersecretary Alain Pascua said schools in mountainous areas and remote islands will be first in the DepEd’s bid to provide internet access ahead of the opening of classes on Aug. 24.

“Priority natin sa mga paaralan na walang kuryente at walang internet. ‘Yan po ang uunahin natin dahil ‘yung lugar nila ‘yung mga pinakamalalayong lugar, sa mga isla, sa mga bulubundukin,” he told ABS-CBN in an interview.

READ ALSO:
House bill filed for teachers’ monthly internet allowance
DepEd pinag-aaralan ang dagdag na internet allowance para sa mga guro

(We will prioritize schools without electricity and internet. We will prioritize schools in far-flung areas, islands, and the mountains.)

“Gusto po nating ipaabot sa kanila ‘yung connectivity nang sa ganoon ay masagap naman nila lahat ‘yung mga impormasyon na makukuha nila sa internet,” he added.

(We want to provide them with connectivity so that they can get information from the internet.)

Processing of documents for the procurement of internet connection is expected to be completed before July ends, Pascua said.

The DepEd has allotted P700 million to provide over 7,000 public schools with internet connectivity.

The project, according to a report by President Rodrigo Duterte to Congress, is expected to be completed in 10 months.

He added that the provision of internet access to some 7,000 public schools is expected to be completed in 10 months even as distance learning is set to start in August.

READ MORE:
DepEd Commons users now at 8 million
Teachers ask DepEd for P1,000 additional internet allowance