LGUs giving gadgets to schools told: ICT tools should fit DepEd's specs

The Department of the Interior and Local Government reminded local government units that if they plan to donate gadgets to public schools, they must comply with the minimum technical specifications set by the Department of Education.

“We all want to help our schools, especially our teachers and learners cope with, and adjust to the new normal in education brought about by the pandemic but we don’t want these expensive gadgets to go to waste," DILG spokesman Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said in a press statement on Thursday.

"We must be sure that they will be utilized. Hence, we encourage our LGUs who are planning to donate ICT equipment to be guided by the technical specs given by DepEd when they make their donation,” he added.

Malaya said LGUs may provide ICT gadgets to schools by way of a Deed of Donation or by commodatum through a written agreement in favor of the Schools Division Office (SDO) or the public schools.

“This is for purposes of proper recording and accountability,” Malaya said.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año has issued a memorandum circular to all local executives, informing them about DepEd’s minimum technical specifications. He also advised local officials that there is no need to purchase Microsoft Office as DepEd will facilitate the installation of the said software.

According to the DILG, the following are the minimum specs for laptops: a processor with 1.6Ghz Based Speed, with Turbo Speed; a screen size of 13 inches, Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (Full HD), 1080p Anti-Glare LED-Backlit or IPS Techn010U; memory of 8 QB RAM; storage of 512 GB HDD SATA; and connectivity of Wireless LAN 802.11 b/ g /n/ac Bluetooth.

For tablets, the specs are the following: Quad-core 1.3 GHz processor; a display size of 8 inches; display resolution of 800 x 1280 Pixels; storage of 32 GB; and a 4G LTE (Optional, Preferred) Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth network.

For smartphones, they must have an Octa-core 2.0 GHz processor; a display size of 6 inches; a display type of IPS LCD Display; display resolution of 720 x 1520 Pixels; storage of 32 GB; network of GSM / HSPA / LTE Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth; and must have dual SIM.

Meanwhile, the DILG lauded Biñan City Mayor Arman Dimaguila, Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno, and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto for allocating funds for the donation of gadgets to public schools and teachers which aims to help them learn and work from home in this time of pandemic.

"Saludo po ang DILG sa mga LGUs na nakaprograma nang mag-donate ng mga laptops, tablets at smartphones at nagpapamalas ng kanilang pagmamalasakit sa mga eskuwelahan, estudyante at mga guro. Your donation will go a long way in ensuring the success of the government’s distance education initiatives,” Malaya said. —LBG, GMA News