Gadgets for distance learning are DepEd property: exec

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MANILA – Tablets and sim cards set to be distributed to students enrolled in public schools in the city of Manila should be taken care of and returned in good condition to the Department of Education-Manila, an official said Wednesday.

Manila City Schools Division chief Maria Magdalena Lim said the gadgets will only be lent to the students but will remain as property of DepEd Manila.

“The tablet will be lent to them while the student is studying via distance learning. The gadget remains a government property. They can use it while they are studying but the moment that they graduate, transfer to a school outside of Manila, or drop out of school, they have to return the tablet to the school,” Lim said in an interview.

She said upon distribution of the tablet, parents will have to sign an Affidavit of Undertaking prepared by DepEd Manila.

The document contains the conditions as well as the responsibilities of the students and the parents upon receiving the gadgets.

The gadgets carry the logo of the city which proves its ownership.

In case the student or the parents are unable to return the gadget, there is a possibility that the students will not be able to get her credentials such as school card and Form 137 from the school.

Lim said gadgets are very important tools for students to be able to study as face-to-face classes are not allowed due to health risks brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Loss of the gadget, Lim said, could mean the discontinuation of the online studying of the student, which may eventually lead to failing grades or a total halt in studying.

Lim added that the said gadget is specifically designed for online studying, thus, downloading of other applications such as games are not possible.

“Hindi pwedeng mag install ng games. Talagang dinisenyo na walang games na mada-download ang mga bata. Para lang talaga ito sa pag aaral. Walang ibang applications na pwedeng i-download (No games may be installed on the tablet as this was specifically designed in a way that children cannot download any other applications),” she said.

The blended online learning for the coming school year is a radical shift in the approach of teaching in schools.

Lim said because of this, aside from the training to equip teachers with proper knowledge on how to conduct online classes, they are also being given psycho-emotional training and guidance.

“Currently, our teachers are undergoing psychosocial readiness na, stress management especially kakaiba itong magiging pagtuturo, para emotionally ready na sila humarap sa bagong system of learning (mode of teaching will be different, so that they are emotionally ready to face the new system of learning),” she said.

Despite the challenges being faced by the country’s educational institutions including the teachers, Lim assured parents and the public that DepEd Manila is 100-percent ready for the school opening.