DEPED-CAR DISTRIBUTES 553 COMPUTER TABLETS WORTH 12M

September 28, 2024 Headlines

Launches Class-In Connect learning platform

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet

The Department of Education-Cordillera (DepEd-CAR) on Thursday (Sept. 26) made symbolic turn over of 553 computer Tablets worth P12-Million, estimated P19K per piece. DepEd-CAR Regional Director Estela P. Leon-Carino and Jennifer Ande, Chief Education Supervisor Curriculum & Management Division led the distribution to the eight School Divisions in the region during the agency’s 3rd Quarter Kapihan held at DepEd-CAR regional grounds. The program is under the education department’s national learning camp sourced from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) 2023.

The program initially cover 31 pilot schools from the eight school division regionwide— Abra, Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mty. Province, Tabuk City, each got 60 Tablets; Baguio City 70; and Benguet 123. Primarily, the Tablets will be equitably utilized for learners who are struggling in numeracy and reading skills, among others. Earlier, the agency launched a million worth of an ultra-modern learning platform project dubbed CLASS-IN CONNECT. The project which requires internet connectivity, is a brainchild of RD Carino with the active support of the DepEd-CAR family. It aimed at improving the learning skills of learners in the province. In Benguet, seven schools are initial project beneficiaries namely: Longlong Elementary School; Naytokyab Elementary School; Datakan Elementary School; Pacalso Elementary School; Itogon Central School; Tuba Central School; and Paoad Elementary School.

In an interview, RD Cari?o revealed that her agency wrote all the Congressmen in the Cordilleras, appealing for financial assistance for the implementation of the project, but to date, only Benguet Representative Eric Go Yap who responded favorably, and allocated an initial funding worth P1-M from his Congressional budget. Representative Yap, recognizing the importance of quality education , heartily announced , he is allocating additional P3-Million for the project with the delight of learners, parents, teachers and DepEd officials to include representatives from the different School Division Offices across the region.

“Election period …imbes na ibili ko ng tarpaulin ..idagdag ko na lang para sa proyekto,” said Yap, recalling the hardships his family experienced during his school days “The future of our country…Province of Benguet lies to our children-youth of today. For all we know, one of the learners present here today may become President ..or Governor,” said Yap, who envisioned to expand the project to all the 13 towns of Benguet , acknowledging the critical role of public school teachers amid the challenges of times. But before he announced the additional funding for the project, Yap, requested Kerwin Presiados , Country Manager (Philippines) of Classin (Singapore -based company),now the world leader in hybrid classroom solution, to explain how the virtual learning platform operates.

Based on Classin profile, it provides more than 20 channels of classroom interactions, including Classin Smart Board,instant messaging, and screensharing hybrid learning enables real-time communication and maximizes in class engagement. He explained , it could also be utilized for virtual meetings, thus, it is cost efficient. Earlier, Ande, Chief Education Supervisor-Curriculum & Management Division, explained the project objectives and expected outcomes—enhance reading skills; develop numeracy skills; cultivate critical thinking; improved assessment performance; and increased learner engagement.

Before the education Kapihan forum started, asked by media, Yap disclosed that he had asked Congress to provide his District some P200 Million for the construction of new public schools. He added that he filed a House Bill (HB), granting hardships allowance for educators. Yap disclosed that he provides an estimated P500-P700 million yearly for the education sector in the province. CARAA With Benguet on the bag to host the 2025 regional sports conclave, Yap said, to date, a total of P1.5-Billion have been released in the repair, rehabilitation and construction of new sports facilities at the Benguet Sports Complex, aside from the Convention Center with initial appropriation of P150 Million.

Primo Agatep/ABN