SWS: 39% of students in online learning have strong internet connection

Only 39 percent of families with students enrolled in online distance learning (ODL) experienced “strong” internet connection, according to the national survey of Social Weather Stations (SWS).

At least 31 percent of ODL families said their internet connection was “weak,” while 21 percent said it was “somewhat weak” and 9 percent said it was “very weak,” the survey added.

The Fourth Quarter 2020 Social Weather Survey was conducted from November 21-25, 2020, using face-to-face interviews of 1,500 adults nationwide: 600 in Balance Luzon and 300 each in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao. The sampling error margins are ±2.5% for national percentages, ±4% for Balance Luzon, and ±6% for Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

The survey was non-commissioned.

The exact phrasing of the questions on the strength of internet connection was: “Kung ang bata ay nasa online distance learning:  Gaano po kalakas ang signal ng Internet sa inyong lugar? Ito po ba ay…? (Talagang malakas, Medyo malakas, Katamtaman, Medyo mahina, Talagang mahina)”

Internet expenses

The survey found 86 percent of ODL families spending an average of P901 per month as additional expenses for internet connection.

Only 3 percent said they have no additional spending while 2 percent said they get free internet. Nine percent did not give an amount.

Of the respondents, 56 percent are using pre-paid internet connection, 41 percent post-paid connection, and 5 percent renting internet.

Having a strong internet connection is most common among ODL families headed by college graduates.

“More than 1 in 5 (22 percent) ODL families where the household head is a college graduate say they have very strong internet connection. This is higher compared to 14 percent among families where the head has only up to some junior high school education, and 13 percent among those with only up to some college education,” SWS said.

The survey firm added that more ODL families in the Visayas and Mindanao incur additional spending for internet connection, but the average additional monthly spending is highest in Metro Manila.

“By type of locale, the average additional monthly spending for internet connection is higher in urban areas at P1,016 (median: P800) than in rural areas at P681 (median: P500),” it added.—LDF, GMA News