To support the realization of the Department of Education (DepEd) Digital Education 2028 or DepEd Digi-Ed, Senator Win Gatchalian said he will pursue his proposal for the digital transformation of the basic education sector.
Under DepEd Digi-Ed, which was unveiled at the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (PCCI) 49th Philippine Business Conference and Expo, DepEd will pursue the provision of School-Wide WiFi nationwide with the help of different service providers. While at least 2,000 schools are being provided with satellites for Wi-Fi internet connectivity, 25 schools were already chosen to test the proof of concept of the US company Starlink, according to Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Duterte.
Gatchalian’s Digital Transformation of Basic Education Act (Senate Bill No. 383) aligns with Republic Act No. 10929 or the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act. Under the proposed measure, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will be mandated to fast-track the installation, deployment, and activation of free public Wi-Fi in all public basic education institutions.
The proposed measure also mandates DepEd to push schools to enhance and strengthen the capacity of their information and communications technology (ICT) to implement distance learning. Under the measure, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will assist both the DepEd and the DICT on the use of science, technology, and innovation. This is to improve traditional teaching and learning processes and boost the basic education sector towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“Hindi na natin maiiwasan ang paggamit ng teknolohiya sa pag-aaral at pagtuturo, lalo na’t naging malinaw sa atin ang mga aral noong kasagsagan ng pandemya. Sinusuportahan natin ang pagpapalawak ng paggamit ng teknolohiya sa DepEd, kaya naman patuloy nating isusulong ang mga panukalang batas na magpapalaganap ng inobasyon sa pag-aaral at pagtuturo,” said Gatchalian, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
