DepEd sets aside P1.35B for ‘disaster learning’ kits

The Department of Education (DepEd) has set aside P1.35 billion to print and distribute “Learning Packets” and Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) materials, supposedly to keep schooling going when disasters shut classrooms.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the initiative aims to let students continue studying even without power, gadgets, or internet access. He called the move part of DepEd’s “preparedness and continuity” efforts.

Of the total, P950 million will go to printing and distributing the packets for Grades 1 to 12, while P499 million is for DLP materials for junior high school.

Each Learning Packet will contain 25 to 50 self-paced activities to improve literacy and numeracy.

The DLP, on the other hand, consists of written exercises that students can copy and answer on paper — essentially a fallback for when digital education or classroom instruction stops working.