VP Robredo urges public to donate old but functioning gadgets for distance learning

Vice President Leni Robredo is calling on the public to donate their spare smartphones, tablets, laptops or desktop computers for students and teachers in need in preparation for distance learning amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Robredo made the call ahead of the August 24 school opening which will be marked with online schooling pending vaccine against COVID-19.

"Inaanyayahan namin kayo na tipunin ang mga ito para sa inisiyatibong ating ilulunsad sa paglalayong makatulong sa napipintong pagpapatupad ng distance learning sa gitna ng COVID-19 crisis," Robredo said in a statement.

Robredo said the gadgets need not be new. "Ang mahalaga ay gumagana pa nang maayos at may basic programs ang gadget o computer," she said.

"Makatutulong lalo kung maibibigay rin ang accessories gaya ng charger na kasama nito. Ang inyong magiging ambag, ipaparating natin sa mga estudyante na walang pambili o access sa ganitong mga kagamitan, at sa mga guro na gagamit ng bagong medium upang magbahagi ng kaalaman," Robredo added.

Robredo said that further details about the initiative, including specifications for the needed gadgets, will be announced soon.

President Rodrigo Duterte has earlier expressed doubt on how the Department of Education can implement distance learning, considering that not all students and teachers have tablets/laptops and stable internet connection.

Based on DepEd records, there are 800,000 DepEd employees, including the teachers, and 27 million students in basic and secondary education.

At least two local government units, namely the cities of Manila and Pasig, have earlier vowed to provide tablets, laptops and internet connection for students and teachers. --Llanesca T. Panti/KBK, GMA News