QC to distribute 176k tablets to public high school students

The Quezon City government will distribute 176,000 tablets to public high school students to help them get ready for blended learning amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to Saleema Refran’s report on “24 Oras,” the project costs around P1.2 billion. City officials said they got the gadget at a lower price

“Gusto kong patunayan na dito sa Quezon City, walang agwat ang bata na nag-aaral sa public school at ang batang nag-aaral sa private school, and if devices, high quality devices, can breach the gap,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

The tablets have built-in programs to help the students learn. Through this, students and teachers may be able to exchange lessons and assignments.

“So while teachers are working at home, learners are also at their respective houses. They can still meet through the data being provided by the Quezon City Government,” Fredie Avendaño, the DepEd-QC assistant superintendent, said.

The tablets will also include a data sim card which will be loaded with 10GB of mobile data per month for online classes.

As the tablets will primarily be used as learning devices, the local government has placed restrictions on the tablets. Students will be unable to download games, streaming applications, and social media applications.

The local government said it will soon release the guidelines on the distribution as well as the proper handling of the tablets. It will also buy laptops and provide mobile allocation for teachers.

Guardians and parents of the students will be held responsible should they lose the gadgets.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News