DATA released by the Department of Education (DepEd) showed 28,2219,623 enrolled learners for school year 2021–2022 nationwide.
The first thing that comes to mind in the need for the immediate provision of gadget and internet support for learners-in-need.
The increase in number of enrollees this school year despite the continuing health and economic crisis and challenging distance learning set-up only proves our youth’s desire to learn and go back to school. The government should fulfill its responsibility to support our learners and ensure that no one gets left behind. They have already failed to support millions of learners last school year; this should not be repeated.
Despite a promising number of enrollees, however, DepEd only received a meager 5.9% or P32.8-billion increase in their budget, according to the 2022 National Expenditure Program (NEP), with hardly any provision for the immediate needs of distance learning. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers observed major cuts on vital programs like basic education facilities, flexible learning options, and Indigenous People’s Education Program (IPED), while there was no provision for student aid. In a survey ACT held just before the new school year opened, it was revealed that, for this academic year, only about 40% of National Capital Region student respondents and 10% from other regions will be provided with gadget support, while only 4% and .5% respectively noted that they will receive support for internet connectivity costs.
We’ve already witnessed how millions of our learners had to suffer the consequences of the government’s negligence and incompetence. DepEd’s fiscal irresponsibility also delayed, if not totally resulted in the denial of, the already paltry P300-million student aid allocation in the Bayanihan 2. There should be no more excuses from the government as there are enough data from the ground to help address the problems of distance learning.
As the World Teachers’ Day approaches, that there is no better way to honor our teachers than for the government to urgently address the needs of the education sector.
