The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday assured so-called “last mile schools” or far-flung public schools in conflict-ravaged areas, remain a top priority in the department's Public Education Network (PEN) Project that seeks to provide internet connectivity to schools despite budget cuts owing to the ongoing pandemic.

Undersecretary for Administration Alain Pascua emphasized this in a recent interview noting, “Naipahayag na ng Pangulo ang unang phase ng Public Education Network, at kabilang sa unang mga public schools na magkakaroon ng internet access ang ating mga Last Mile Schools (The President has already announced the first phase of the Public Education Network and our Last Mile Schools are included among first public schools to have internet access)."

Last mile schools, DepEd said, refer to public schools located in far-flung and isolated areas, those situated in areas with armed conflict, and those without access to electricity or water among others.

Also falling into the same category are public schools with less than four classrooms, usually makeshift and nonstandard ones; no electricity; no funds for repairs or new construction projects in the last four years; a travel distance of more than one hour away, and accessible only through difficult terrain. 

Schools with multi-grade classes, with less than five teachers, and a population of less than 100 learners, with more than 75% of whom are indigenous peoples (IP) are also included in the same category.

Aside from internet access, Pascua said these schools will also be provided electricity through an electrification program. 

“Habang patungo tayo sa new normal, nananatiling prayoridad pa din sa DepEd na magkaroon ng parehas na oportunidad ang bawat mag-aaral, nasa siyudad man siya o nasa malayong barrio (As we move towards the new normal, among the priorities of DepEd is to ensure that every student will have the same opportunity, whether he/she is in a city or in an isolated barrio),” Pascua said.  

Prior, Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla told the Manila Bulletin that DepEd's Last Mile Schools Program (LMSP), with an original budget of P6.5 billion intended for 361 last mile schools, was cut by P5 billion with the amount transferred to the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act fund.