By Raymund F. Antonio
Vice President Leni Robredo has encouraged parents to have their children enrolled as the country’s educational system prepares to shift to distancing learning method due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Vice President Leni Robredo (Mark Balmores / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
“Kasi nagkaroon na ng parang advance enrollment, early registration, pero kaunti pa lang iyong nag-register. Parang malayo pa siya doon sa target, so ang pinapakiusap po natin mag-enroll na ngayon (Because we already have advance enrollment, early registration, but only a few have registered. It is still far from the target, so I’m appealing that they enroll now),” she said.
Robredo said that enrolled indigent students are eligible for the gadgets such as computers, laptops, and smartphones under her office’s donation drive.
“Iyong number one requirement po natin para kayo ay maging recipient at dapat enrolled kayo (Our number one requirement for you to become a recipient is you’re enrolled),” she said.
The vice president said the local government units that have no program for the technological needs of both teachers and students in their areas are likewise eligible.
Robredo made the call ahead of the August 24 school opening that will be marked by distance learning. This means lessons will be delivered outside the traditional face-to-face setup.
The Department of Education (DepEd) has already started the enrollment in public schools through online platforms or “drop box” system that will last until June 30.
Robredo is doubtful that the country is ready for the department’s online learning approach, so her office stepped in to provide students and teachers the needed gadgets.
The opposition leader said the Learner Enrollment Survey Form is an important tool that will be used to register learners for the coming school year and gather information on their technological capacity.
“Dito kasi malalaman kung sino iyong nangangailangan ng gadget. Sino iyong nangangailangan ng gadget o kung may gadget ka anong klaseng gadget mayroon ka? Ano iyong accessible sa iyo? (This is where we would know who are in need of a gadget. If you have a gadget, what kind of gadget do you have? What is accessible to you?),” she said.
Robredo’s office is seeking gadgets for distance learning that are not necessarily new, but these should be functioning and have chargers.
Robredo said these donations would greatly help students, especially those in poor communities who can’t afford such devices.