Free internet to accelerate learning of students amid pandemic pushes through

In an earlier report, the Department of Education (DepEd) has begun coordinating with Smart and Globe telecommunications companies for a free Internet. It also started discussing with local radio stations for the infrastructure and transistor radios as an alternative method in delivering education for those students who don’t have access to the Internet.

Photo credit: currentph.com

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Wednesday renewed his appeal for giant telecommunications companies, Globe Telecoms and Smart Communications, to help the government roll-out its distance learning program by providing students with free Internet connectivity.

The only way students can accelerate their learning while fighting with the COVID-19 pandemic is through the use of printed and digital self-learning modules which require Internet connection, said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts, and Culture.

He added that they need to strive to reach students and provide them a chance to learn through modern means while we are dealing with a pandemic.

A free Internet connection, the senator said, would provide a boost to the country’s education sector which was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Gatchalian added that accelerating the provision of connectivity to all learners is a step to ensure equity in access to learning opportunities in the new normal. He had earlier said telcos should consider installing cell sites in all of the country’s 42,046 barangays since these serve as viable spots for Internet access. Every barangay has a public school which need faster and better Internet services.

DepEd said that more than three million students prefer online learning compared to the 7.3 million who prefer modular distance learning as an alternative learning modality for the opening of classes. Also, more than 1.2 million choose television-based instruction and 638, 213 students preferring to use radio as a medium of instruction.

DepEd added that almost 2.9 million learners have available Internet connection at home, while more than 1.8 million have no available gadgets such as laptop, desktop, and even radio or television.