Gatchalian seeks more efficient roll-out of DepEd Computerization Program

Though the Bureau of Customs has repeatedly donated seized gadgets to the Department of Education (DepEd) to support distance learning, Senator Win Gatchalian said the education department should also ensure a more efficient implementation of its own computerization program.

The DepEd Computerization Program (DCP) aims to respond to the computer backlog of public schools and provide these schools with appropriate technologies to enhance the teaching-learning process and "meet the challenges of the 21st century." The DCP also aims to provide computer laboratory packages to secondary schools, e-classroom to elementary schools, and laptops for mobile teachers.

Under the 2021 General Appropriations Act, the DCP has an allocation of P5.9 billion. The program, however, is hounded by implementation woes, which should be immediately addressed, said Gatchalian. In its 2019 audit, the Commission on Audit (COA) said that from 2015 to 2019, the DCP only met 59.43 percent of its target. This means that only 8,523 out of 14,342 targeted schools nationwide received ICT packages. The COA also flagged that more than P3.2 billion in payments to suppliers in 2019 were not supported by documentary requirements.

An inspection by the audit body revealed that some schools were not ready to receive the packages because they lack multi-media or computer rooms, proper electrical groundings, wirings and circuit breaker, and window grills.

ICT coordinators also reported that some suppliers did not provide after-sales services. Some of them could no longer be reached through contact details provided. This prevented schools from availing warranty privileges and let suppliers escape liability.

"Nakita natin ngayong panahon ng pandemya na hindi na natin maaaring paghintayin pa ang modernisasyon para sa mga mag-aaral at mga guro. Mahalagang matiyak natin ang pagpapatupad ng nasabing programa upang mapakinabangan na nila to," said the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

Gatchalian is also eyeing to file a bill that aims to provide laptops and internet allowances to the country's K to 12 learners.

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Gatchalian: tiyakin ang maayos na pagpapatupad ng 'DepEd Computerization Program'

Bagama't ilang ulit nang ipinagkaloob ng Bureau of Customs (BOC) sa Department of Education (DepEd) ang mga kinumpiskang mga gadgets upang makatulong sa distance learning, hinimok ni Senador Win Gatchalian ang kagawaran na tiyakin ang mabilis at maayos na pagpapatupad ng sarili nitong computerization program.

Layon ng DepEd Computerization Program (DCP) na maglagay ng mga angkop at kinakailangang teknolohiya para mapunan ang kakulangan ng mga computer sa mga pampublikong paaralan. Ito ay upang mapahusay ang proseso ng pag-aaral at pagtuturo.

Sa ilalim ng programa, dapat magkaroon ng computer laboratory packages sa bawat high school, e-classroom sa bawat elementary school, at laptop sa mga mobile teachers.

Sa ilalim ng 2021 national budget, may halos anim na bilyong (P5.9) bilyong pisong nakalaan para sa DCP. Ngunit may ilang mga hamong kinakaharap ang pagpapatupad ng programa na ayon kay Gatchalian ay dapat tugunan ng DepEd.

Ayon kasi sa Commission on Audit (COA), halos animnapung (59.43) porsyento lamang ang naabot ng programa sa target nito mula 2015 hanggang 2019. Ibig sabihin, mahigit walong libo (8,523) lamang sa mahigit labing-apat na libong (14,342) mga target na paaralan ang nakatanggap ng information and communications technology (ICT) packages. Ayon pa sa COA, mahigit tatlong bilyong (P3.2) bilyong piso ang ibinayad sa ilang mga supplier noong 2019 kahit na may kulang pa sa documentary requirements.

Ayon din sa pag-inspeksyon ng komisyon, may ibang mga paaralang hindi pa handang makatanggap ng ICT packages dahil sa kawalan ng computer rooms, angkop na electrical groundings, wirings at circuit breaker, at mga window grills.

Ayon pa sa ulat ng ilang ICT coordinators, may ilang mga suppliers na hindi nagbigay ng after-sales service. Ang ilan sa mga ito ay hindi na ma-kontak sa binigay nilang telephone number at email address. Kaya naman may mga paaralang hindi na nakakuha ng warranty at hinayaang hindi na managot ang suppliers.

"Nakita natin ngayong panahon ng pandemya na hindi na natin maaaring paghintayin pa ang modernisasyon para sa mga mag-aaral at mga guro. Mahalagang matiyak natin ang pagpapatupad ng nasabing programa upang mapakinabangan na nila ito," ayon sa Chairman ng Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

Balak naman ni Gatchalian na maghain ng isang panukalang batas na layong bigyan ng laptop at internet allowance ang bawat mag-aaral sa bansa.