DepEd doesn’t have enough computers for online education, says official

The Department of Education (DepEd) does not have enough computers for all 22 million learners nationwide, an official said Monday.

“Hindi rin talaga kaya ng DepEd na 1:1 ang equipment mo pagdating sa mga bata. Biruin mo, kung 1:1 ‘yan, ang kailangan natin ay aabutin tayo ng 22 million ang kailangan nating equipment,” Education Undersecretary Alain Pascua said in a 24 Oras report by Oscar Oida.

“Sa ngayon, ang inventory natin, mga one million pa lang,” he added.

DepEd earlier said online platforms will be used to teach students amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The department also said they were eyeing other modes of learning due to the difficulties posed by online education. 

“Hihinto na lang po ‘yung anak ko sa pag-aaral kaysa naman po malagay sa kapahamakan ‘yung kalusugan niya. I-skip ko na lang po siya tapos tuturuan ko na lang po siya sa bahay,” Joan Garcia, a mother of fifth grader, said.

“Pangarap ko po maging guro kaya lang po wala po akong pambiling tablet o laptop. Paano na po ‘yun?” her daughter Joanna said. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News