Gov’t allotted P9 billion for printing of learning modules - DepEd

The Department of Education (DepEd) has allotted P9 billion for the printing of learning modules to be used by students for school year 2020-2021.

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The budget has already been downloaded to the division offices earlier than the planned opening of classes on Aug. 24, Education Undersecretary for finance Annalyn Sevilla said.

She said that teachers raising money for printing of modules are not necessary as the government has allotted a budget.

If done in the spirit of Brigada Eskwela, it should be through voluntary contribution and never as compulsory. We have Brigada Eskwela and there are protocols and guidelines/procedures, 

she added.

The Brigada Eskwela is the National Schools Maintenance Week that aims to bring together all education stakeholders to partake and contribute their time, effort, and resources to prepare public school facilities for the opening of the school year.

With physical restrictions for the upcoming school year, DepEd said the current Brigada Eskwela focuses on preparations and strengthening partnership engagement to ensure that learning continues amid the pandemic.

Since face-to-face classes or physical activities or learning is restricted due to the pandemic, DepEd said the current Brigada Eskwela focuses on preparations and strengthening partnership engagement to ensure that learning continues.

According to Sevilla, actual contributions from Brigada Eskwela and the special education fund of local government units would be considered in the provision of funds to cover learning resources.

Hence, the calibration and prioritization of funds are given at the regional and division levels as they are on the ground and have more accurate data in terms of actual enrollment and actual external contributions,

she added.

Last week, DepEd has released guidelines for the printing of learning materials for this school year.

DepEd’s information and communications technology service created an online folder with ready-to-print digital copies of the self-learning modules and had been made available for access.

Unauthorized printing, uploading and conducting activities involving sharing of digital files other than the intended purpose are strictly prohibited and shall be grounds for imposition of administrative and other sanctions, 

read the policy.

For efficient use of funds and to facilitate timely delivery of the printed self-learning materials for the first quarter, the schools division offices (SDO) primarily, or schools as authorized jointly by regional offices and SDOs, shall set the print run based on the quantity needed and deliver these immediately to schools,

it added.

DepEd said the fund may also be used for other expenses such as supplies for the development of video and radio scripts and lessons, conversion of materials into accessible format and development of interactive materials in addition to printing and delivery of learning modules.

Purchase of capital outlay items such as equipment, gadgets, software or any item costing P15,000 and above per unit is strictly prohibited.

In case the downloaded fund is not sufficient to address the actual needs for the purpose, the SDOs may provide additional fund support from their regular… maintenance and other operating expenses allotment,

said DepEd.