DepEd receives computers, learning materials donated by US gov't

The United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), handed over 150 laptop computers, printers, projectors and 80 sets of learning materials to the Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday as part of its commitment to support the continuity of education amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo credit: philstar.com

USAID Mission Director Lawrence Hardy II led the handover event together with DepEd Assistant Secretary for Alternative Learning Systems (ALS) G.H. Ambat, who accepted the donations on behalf of the Philippine government. 

USAID’s assistance augments DepEd’s efforts to help ensure continuity of education, especially for vulnerable out-of-school youth,

a statement released by the American embassy on Wednesday read. 

USAID will also provide some Php34 million (US$700,000) worth of laptops, computers, printers, projectors, and other related materials to DepEd’s ALS Task Force.

This assistance is under USAID’s five-year Php1.9billion (US$37.5 million) Opportunity 2.0 project that works with DepEd, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and local governments to support their ongoing programs to provide relevant education, employability skills, and work experience to out-of-school youth.

According to the US embassy, USAID will also donate computers and related equipment to DepEd's five e-Skwela Centers "to increase access to technology and learning in these communities," under the same project. 

Opportunity 2.0 is also training teachers on blended learning approaches and will develop interactive audio instruction materials that can be used by those isolated by distance or lack of infrastructure,

it added. 

The USAID’s assistance is expected to benefit 180,000 youth in more than 12 cities across the Philippines. 

Latest data from DepEd shows that 24.81 million are enrolled in basic education this school year — 89.37% of the previous school year's student population. 

While this exceeded the initial projection of 80% made by the National Economic and Development Authority, these enrollment figures mean that about three million students may have dropped out of the school system.