DepEd to distribute new computers in public schools

To further enhance the teaching and learning process of students, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday launched the new set of improved computer packages to be distributed in public schools nationwide this year as part of the DepEd Computerization Program (DCP). 

The department said it is planning to provide computer laboratory packages to secondary schools and electronic classrooms to elementary schools, as it aims to raise the information and communications technologies (ICT) literacy of students, teachers and school heads.

"We have to train our children in the use of ICT systems so that it will sharpen their analytical capacities, help them in solving problems and keeping up with the demands of world outside, whether it is university studies or the world of work," Education Secretary Leonor Briones said at a press conference in Quezon City.

"The aim of the program is to deliver computer units in every school. Our aim actually is to establish computer laboratories, one in every school," DepEd Undersecretary Alain del Pascua added.

DepEd has launched the new set of computer packages it will deploy to schools this year as part of the DepEd Computerization Program (DCP). | via @Jamil_Santos02 pic.twitter.com/yEPPmamsYe

— GMA News (@gmanews) April 6, 2018

An P8.6-billion budget has been approved for DCP this year.

"For 2018, about 460,000 ang ide-deliver this year in about 11,000 schools," Pascua added. "Ang target natin, by 2022, lahat ng schools may computer laboratories na."

DepEd has laid out its deployment plan of computer packages this year: 22,154 schools to receive multimedia packages for Kinder to G3; 11,708 elementary, junior high and senior high schools will receive thin-client packages, totaling 293,796 terminals; 1,361 junior high schools will receive Tablet PC packages totaling 68,050 tablets; and 18 senior high schools will receive standalone desktop PC packages, totaling 918 desktops.

The new DCP devices are designed with the color blue to indicate that they are government property, in response to incidents of theft of DepEd packages in schools in the past.

DepEd Sec. Leonor Briones and Usec. Alain Pascua inspect the new DCP packages to be delivered in public schools. The blue color of devices indicates it is government property, in response to theft of DCP packages in schools. | via @Jamil_Santos02 pic.twitter.com/BRQvLij8DE

— GMA News (@gmanews) April 6, 2018

Light blue-colored devices will be designated to Kinder up to Grade 12 while dark blue-colored computers will be for those in junior and senior level.

The department said the mere possession of the new DCP equipment outside of public schools could be grounds for prosecution.

Briones said DepED aims to distribute the equipment to all public schools even from far-flung areas.

Computers powered by solar panels will also be provided for public schools that have no access to electricity such as in the islands and mountains, DepEd also announced.

"So ito, puwede itong solar-powered. There are about 4,000 schools na wala pang kuryente, at 'yun po ang ilalagay natin. Ii-implement na po natin ngayon," Pascua said.

Offline programs by DepEd have also been installed at the new computers for schools that have no access to the internet.

For the security of public schools, the DepEd said it has coordinated with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the installation of CCTVs and enhanced security guards.

"We are encouraging the local government units and the barangays to support the Department of Education's desire to secure this different ICT equipment to be delivered to the schools," DILG spokesman and assistant secretary Jonathan Malaya said.

"We will be issuing a memorandum circular to all the local government officials to support the various high schools and elementary schools which are recipient of these ICT for them to provide security guards," Malaya added. — RSJ, GMA News