Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan of Bicol Saro party-list called for the swift approval of a measure that aims to provide an initial P500 million investment by the government for the digital transformation of the country’s public school system.
Yamsuan said the measure—House Bill (HB) 276—will set the stage for the modernization of the country’s public schools and help both teachers and students use technology as a powerful educational tool.
Yamsuan said that unlike in private schools where students can immediately opt to shift to online classes during strong typhoons, floods and other emergencies, public school pupils are left with no option but to resort to makeup classes or use modules whenever face-to-face learning is suspended.
He said the new guidelines issued by the Department of Education (DepEd) on class suspensions underscore the urgency of investing in digital technology in public schools.
Under the DepEd’s revised guidelines on class suspensions, face-to face classes in public schools in areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 are automatically suspended only for Kindergarten. Face-to-face classes from Kindergarten to Grade 10 will only be automatically suspended during TCWS Signal No. 2, provided that students shift to online or modular distance learning, performance tasks, projects or makeup classes to ensure learning continuity. Classes and work in all levels under TCWS No. 3 and above are automatically suspended. The same distance learning modalities were also issued in areas under heavy rainfall and other emergencies.
