DepEd looking into funding monthly internet allowance for teachers —official

The Department of Education (DepEd) is examining its budget to provide monthly internet allowance for teachers as they implement a distance learning approach, its official said on Tuesday.

In a public briefing, DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said the department is currently realigning its budget to accommodate new expenses in light of the adjusted approach of teaching.

“Dahil sa bagong pamamaraan ng paghahatid ng pag-aaral ng mga bata, bago rin ang gastusin na kailangan at kasama nga diyan itong communication expenses ng mga guro,” he said.

Malaluan made the statement in response to the calls of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) to provide educators with a P1, 500 monthly internet allowance.

He agreed that teachers can use the allowance to communicate with students, parents, and supervisors as well as to participate in training.

“Kaya tinitignang mabuti 'yan ng DepEd doon sa kanyang pagre-review ng allocation ng budget at kung may mga portions tayo na maibibigay suporta,” he said.

“We will do that. Kinikilala natin na ‘yan ay malaking gastusin ngayon in the delivery modalities na distance learning,” he added.

Due to constraints tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, DepEd decided to resume classes through distance learning, where students do not have to go to school to participate in classes to avoid possible transmission of the virus.

The DepEd removed around 60% of the curriculum as adjustment for the remote learning approach this coming school year, which was scheduled to start on August 24.

Also, the department has been preparing ways to deliver education to students through self-learning modules, broadcast media, and the internet. —KG, GMA News