Gatchalian wants review of free internet, distance learning laws

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is seeking a Senate inquiry into the implementation of the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act and the Open Distance Learning Act.
 
In a statement, Gatchalian said he filed Proposed Resolution 59, which seeks to determine the two laws’ effectiveness in educational institutions and learning centers. 
 
The senator aims to identify and address implementation gaps, issues, and challenges. 

Gatchalian said that implementing these laws "remains to be a problem, especially when the COVID-19 pandemic led to the suspension of face-to-face classes and the shift to distance learning."
 
The Free Internet Access in Public Places Act was passed to provide free internet access to internet service in public places nationwide. 
 
It also provides for free Wi-Fi internet access in public basic education institutions, alternative learning system centers, state universities and colleges, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority technology institutions, among others.
 
Based on the Free Public Wi-Fi monitoring dashboard, however, at least 945 public basic education schools, or only about 2% of public schools nationwide, had free public Wi-Fi as of January 29, 2022.
 
The Open Distance Learning Act institutionalized Open Distance Learning to expand and further democratize access to quality tertiary education. 

The law mandates the use of distance education as an appropriate, efficient, and effective system of delivering quality higher and technical educational services in the country.
 
To date, there are only 10 reputable higher education institutions offering distance education.
 
“Bagama’t meron tayong mga batas na nakatulong sana sa pagpapatupad ng distance learning, may mga pagkukulang pa rin tayong dapat punan upang matiyak ang tuloy-tuloy at dekalidad na edukasyon sa gitna ng krisis. Kailangan nating tugunan ang mga hamong ito upang matiyak natin na walang mag-aaral ang mapagkakaitan ng edukasyon sa panahon ng mga sakuna at anumang emergency situation,” said Gatchalian.

(Although we have laws that should aid the implementation of distance learning, there are still gaps that we need to fill to ensure a continuous and quality education amid this crisis. We need to address these challenges to ensure that no student is denied education in times of calamities and emergency situations.) — VBL, GMA News