Quezon City District 2 Councilor Winnie Castelo has urged the city government to provide all students in the city’s public schools with computer devices like tablets to help them in their online or distance education.
His appeal is contained in Proposed Ordinance 22-531, which he has introduced in the city council. The measure seeks the allocation of funds for the procurement of tablets for all students from Grade 1 to senior high school without exceptions to be known as “QC One Student, One Tablet Policy”.
“While the city government is now providing tablets, there are some who were not given. Our proposal will allow the total distribution of this device to all students without exception.”
Castelo said the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the educational system in the country from having face-to-face or classroom classes to conducting learning sessions through the internet, which involves the use of communication gadgets like laptops, tablets, desktop computers, and smart mobile phones.
“While the city government is now providing tablets, there are some who were not given. Our proposal will allow the total distribution of this device to all students without exception,” he said.
He said many students in public schools cannot afford to buy gadgets since they come from poor families.
“It’s high time the city came to their help by providing them with tablets or similar devices,” he said.
Castelo stressed that there is no way a student could participate in online learning without a communication device and reliable internet connection.
He added that with its P21-billion budget for this year, excluding billions more in internal revenue allotment or share from national taxes, the city government “could very well afford to extend this assistance to its students.”
Castelo stressed that there is no way a student could participate in online learning without a communication device and reliable internet connection.
He said unless the city helps its students, they would continue to lag behind in learning and the educational system would further deteriorate.
He also called on the city to provide a reasonable amount of allowance for cellular data.
Castelo invoked the mandate of the Constitution, which provides: “The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education available to all.”
He further quoted the Charter in the proposed ordinance: “The State shall establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society.”
Councilors Karl Edgar Castelo of District 5 and Melencio Castelo Jr. of District 6 co-authored the proposed ordinance.
