The local government of Quezon City has approved a budget of P209 million for Quezon City University's (QCU) development of its blended learning system as the country’s education system adapts to the new normal.
Mayor Joy Belmonte, who is also the chairperson of QCU’s board of regents, said on Tuesday (July 7) that this is part of the city's efforts as they prepare the incoming college students for the blended learning system.
According to her, a major program in the pipeline is the city's Laptop Loan Program, where students and teachers with limited access to learning devices will be able to loan laptops from the city during their stay at the QCU.
“We will still conduct offline classes for technical and practical learning, but we will reduce our class size to only 15 to 20 students and ensure that safety protocols are in place,” QCU officer-in-charge Dr. Victor Endriga said.
Endriga also said the budget will be used to procure additional medical supplies and equipment, as well as cover the expenses of students’ and teachers’ internet connection and the cost of computer softwares for all degree programs and online reference materials, and the development of academic management systems for the online processing of enrollment.
The local government said QCU is projecting around 9,000 enrollees this coming school year in its three campuses.
Since one of the campuses was previously used as one of the city’s quarantine facilities, the local government assured students, teachers, and parents that thorough and stringent disinfection would be conducted in and around the campus before classes start.