Marikina solon advocates future-ready schools

Marikina City First District Rep. Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro is advocating for the creation of technology-enabled public schools to help Filipino learners thrive in the digital age.

Teodoro has filed House Bill 1255, which seeks to establish Public Schools of the Future in Technology (PSOFT).

The bill aims to bridge the digital divide by equipping public school students with laptops, internet access, and smart classrooms — resources still out of reach for many Filipino children.

“Digital technology has become indispensable in almost all aspects of life,” Teodoro said in the bill’s explanatory note.

He warned that Filipino students could fall behind not due to lack of talent, but due to limited access to the tools now considered basic in modern education.

“Access to digital tools and the skills to use them will increasingly determine a child’s future employability,” he added.

Under the bill, students in PSOFT schools would receive laptops and attend digitally enhanced classes using interactive boards, online platforms, and multimedia content.

Teodoro noted the initiative could benefit children in remote areas, conflict zones, or those with physical limitations that prevent regular school attendance.

“Training in digital technology will provide equal opportunities for children, even those unable to be physically present in school,” he said.

“Digital tools can also make learning more engaging and offer access to high-quality educational content like e-books and videos,” he added.

HB 1255 supports President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push for broader digitalization and future-ready skills by investing in school-based digital infrastructure.