Teachers shun laptop loan offer, ask DepEd to provide gadgets for free
Published Jun 24, 2020 12:00 am
By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
Like how security forces are given firearms before they are deployed for combat, teachers urged the government to equip them with necessary tools as they face challenges in the implementation of new learning modalities this coming school year.
(JOJO RINOZA / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), a 30,000-strong group, once again reminded the Department of Education (DepEd) to address the needs of teachers - especially in public schools - as they prepare for the implementation of blended/distance learning when classes officially start in August.
TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas noted that in the past months, DepEd and the government have been assuring the public that the country is ready for the new education modalities - primarily the online learning under blended/distance learning approach. “Yet at the same time, it cannot or will not provide the resources necessary for the ‘new normal’ delivery of education service,” he said.
Basas said that the DepEd announced its plan to issue laptops for the teachers who do not own one based after conducting a survey in March. Citing DepEd’s survey on teacher readiness with over 700,000 respondents, it was noted that more than “87% percent of them have desktops, laptops, and cellular phones.”
However, the TDC argued that while many teachers have their own laptops and gadgets, it would be “unfair” for the government and DepEd to ask them to use it for blended/distance learning purposes.
“These laptops purchased personally are properties of the teachers and not the government,” Basas said. Thus, TDC urged DepEd to initiate a program to purchase quality gadgets and give them free to all the teachers.
“Laptop computers, being necessary tools for our teachers, should be provided free by the government, along with other materials for the teaching and learning process,” Basas said. “We cannot ask our security forces-- the police and the military to buy their own guns to use against criminals or avail of firearms loan - that would be ridiculous,” he added.
Meanwhile, TDC rejected the “laptop loan” being offered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
Basas noted that the GSIS may be sincere in its “laptop loan” offer for teachers amounting to P20, 000 but also rejected the idea for being “misplaced.” TDC noted that the GSIS may only try to help but its offer may be viewed as toleration of the government’s inadequate spending for the anticipated new modalities in education and would only burden the teachers in the future.
(JOJO RINOZA / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), a 30,000-strong group, once again reminded the Department of Education (DepEd) to address the needs of teachers - especially in public schools - as they prepare for the implementation of blended/distance learning when classes officially start in August.
TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas noted that in the past months, DepEd and the government have been assuring the public that the country is ready for the new education modalities - primarily the online learning under blended/distance learning approach. “Yet at the same time, it cannot or will not provide the resources necessary for the ‘new normal’ delivery of education service,” he said.
Basas said that the DepEd announced its plan to issue laptops for the teachers who do not own one based after conducting a survey in March. Citing DepEd’s survey on teacher readiness with over 700,000 respondents, it was noted that more than “87% percent of them have desktops, laptops, and cellular phones.”
However, the TDC argued that while many teachers have their own laptops and gadgets, it would be “unfair” for the government and DepEd to ask them to use it for blended/distance learning purposes.
“These laptops purchased personally are properties of the teachers and not the government,” Basas said. Thus, TDC urged DepEd to initiate a program to purchase quality gadgets and give them free to all the teachers.
“Laptop computers, being necessary tools for our teachers, should be provided free by the government, along with other materials for the teaching and learning process,” Basas said. “We cannot ask our security forces-- the police and the military to buy their own guns to use against criminals or avail of firearms loan - that would be ridiculous,” he added.
Meanwhile, TDC rejected the “laptop loan” being offered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
Basas noted that the GSIS may be sincere in its “laptop loan” offer for teachers amounting to P20, 000 but also rejected the idea for being “misplaced.” TDC noted that the GSIS may only try to help but its offer may be viewed as toleration of the government’s inadequate spending for the anticipated new modalities in education and would only burden the teachers in the future.