Sec. Briones promps teachers to look into their school's financial situation before soliciting for supplies

Modular learning became the backbone of the DepEd's distance learning, as most parents and students prefers it among other modes of learning such as online where TV and radio broadcasts would supplement the modules.

As a result, the Department of Education (DepEd) realigned its 2020 budget to to fund distance learning. The department has allotted P10 billion for the printing of modules. Despite that, a lot of teachers still ask for bond paper and printer donations.

Photo credit: facebook.com

On Friday, Education Secretary Leonor Briones reminded public school teachers to look into their respective school's situation first before soliciting funds for school supplies like bond paper and printer ink.

Briones issued the reminder as they present the Department of Education's proposed 2021 budget amounting to P605.74 billion.

Ang advice ko sa kanila, find out first the extent of the shortage kasi nagda-download kami ng pera…We try to advice those who ask us about this possibility to check on the status of their school themselves…Kailangan sigurong tingnan nang maayos which schools are recipients and which schools are lacking, 

she said.

[My advice to them, find out first the extent of the shortage because we are downloading money… We try to advise those who ask us about this possibility to check on the status of their school themselves…We probably need to carefully look into which schools are recipients and which schools are lacking.]

She said some groups are writing to contractors asking donations under her name and advices the public not to entertain this kind of doings.

It’s our policy never to accept cash. Especially, I don’t use my name for activities like that…Mga six-figures pa 'yung hinihingi (They even asked for six-figures). I would like to warn our very generous and concerned citizens, do not pay attention especially if it is a request for cash,

Briones added.

Meanwhile, some senators took turns in suggesting possible steps to realign portions of the DepEd budget to better use.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, suggested to realign the P12 billion budget allotted for the construction of school buildings in favor of the other pressing needs for this school year. 

Senator Nancy Binay also urged her colleagues to support DepEd's appeal to telcos not to charge teachers with data connectivity while accessing the agency’s uploaded lessons through its website DepEd Commons.

The DepEd's proposed budget was approved by the committee after almost seven hours of hearing. And proposed budget was deemed submitted to the plenary.