DepEd prepares financing strategies for learning continuity plan

To address the emerging needs of schools, teachers and learners as the education system shifts to the “new normal,” the Department of Education (DepEd) has prepared financing strategies to ensure that learning will continue despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

DepEd Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla, in an earlier online press conference, explained the need for the agency to review its budget to be able to response to the demands of implementing its Basic Education - Learning Continuity Plan (LCP).

“DepEd’s 2020 budget was designed for face-to-face learning modality or the traditional learning modality as we know it,” Sevilla explained. However, with the unexpected arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, she noted the need for DepEd to shift from its designed 2020 budget to cater to the BE-LCP.

As DepEd shifts to distance learning this School Year (SY) 2020-2021, Sevilla said that DepEd has come up with various strategies for financing the operationalization of the BE-LCP.

“In terms of financing the BE-LCP, we are preparing for two scenarios - the ideal and the conservative,” Sevilla explained. “Ideal, means everything is okay - we don’t have limited resources, we have the manpower, everyone is trained and the health situation is okay with some minimum requirements,” she said.

The conservative, Sevilla said, can be considered the “real” scenario. “COVID came in the middle of first semester or March and our 2020 budget was not prepared for this,” she explained.

Since the 2020 budget was designed for a face-to-face teaching and learning exercises, Sevilla noted that there are different demands and requirements as DepEd shifts into distance learning delivery. “We need to do so many things that we’re not included in the budget but don’t worry because we have been preparing for this,” she added.

To respond to these scenarios, Sevilla said that DepEd has prepared six BE-LCP financing strategies. First is the recalibration of DepEd’s budget through alignment and modification of Programs and Projects (PAPs).

“We re-calibrated our DepEd budget and we need to align this for the things that we need to do now and we also the modified activities,” Sevilla said said. “While there is no face-to-face but we have to continue and we have the funding available - we call it re-alignment,” she added.

Another strategy is the use of available balance of the School- School Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE). “We have a new policy on using the MOOE and our school principals were informed of this,” Sevilla said. “It has so many limitations before since we need to do face-to-face but now that we’re doing the distance learning, we can use this to print the learning activity sheets and modules and other needs related to our LCP,” she added.

Sevilla said that the the Special Education Fund (SEF) can also be used for BE-LCP in coordination with local government units (LGUs). “They aligned the SEF and the schools are now using it with the help of our local governments,” she explained.

Other BE-LCP financing strategies include enhanced partnerships with Development Partners and access to Official Development Assistance (ODA) and maximizing contributions from the private sector through the enhanced “Brigada Eskwela” program.

Lastly, Sevilla said that DepEd has already met with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to “request for supplemental budget.” She also recognized the initiatives of Senate and Congress to hep DepEd to prepare for school opening. “They have been asking us what do we need,” she added.

Sevilla noted that making the necessary adjustments in the DepEd budget to fund BE-LCP is a continuing effort. “We are doing our best to deliver it,” she said. With the available funding, the policy for the use of MOOE and the release of cash allowance for teachers, she said that school opening set on August 24 will push through.