Gadgets to be used by teachers and students in blended learning arrived at Manila City Hall

On Monday, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso wrote on Facebook that the laptops, tablets, pocket WiFis, and SIM cards for public school students and teachers in Manila have arrived at the Manila City Hall.

Photo credit: news.abs-cbn.com

City Hall is planning to distribute it next week. The gadgets and connectivity devices will be used to equip students and teachers during the blended distance learning set-up. 

Mayor Isko added that they aim to lessen the expenses of parents in terms of purchasing gadgets and access to the internet. It will help students to be equipped for their classes on Oct. 5.  He said in his post.

This effort of your city government is to help every student and teacher to continue studying and adapt to the new normal of education,

Ito ay tulong na rin natin sa mga magulang para maibsan ang kanilang hirap na mapaaral ang kanilang mga anak,

[This is also our way of helping parents to ease their burden in giving education to their children.]

Sama-sama nating kakaharapin itong tinatawag na blended distant learning. Hindi po namin kayo iiwan sa maliit naming kaparaanan at may awa ang Diyos, makakaraos din po tayo.

[Let us all face this what we call blended distant learning together. We will not forsake you and help you in our own little way, and with God’s mercy, we will survive this.]

The Manila city government alloted over P1 billion for the purchase of the equipment. Earlier, the Manila Public Information Office (MPIO) said they are targeting to buy 11,000 laptops with pocket WiFi devices for teachers, 136,950 tablet devices, and 286,000 SIM cards with 10 GB bandwidth for students.

Data from the division of city of schools in Manila showed that enrollment figures of public school students in the city increased compared to the previous year. 

Data from DepEd showed that Metro Manila has the highest number of public school enrollees for this school year 2020-2021. Class opening were scheduled on October 5 and face-to-face classes are still discouraged.