Bicol solon seeks upgrade of basic education to world-class level

A House bill seeks to introduce public school students into the digital world by providing laptop computers.

Two bills filed in Congress will seek to raise Philippine basic education to world-class level.

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda filed House Bill 311, or the Public Schools of the Future Act, to promote a state-of- the art school system, and HB 304 (Last Mile Schools Act) that will ensure all students―even those in remote and isolated communities―pursue their studies.

HB 311 seeks to introduce public school students into the digital world by providing laptop computers for Grades 4, 7 and 11 and access to the Internet that will prepare them for the “disruptive technologies” of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as, Industrial Revolution 4.0, refers to the digital revolution that involves the fusion of technologies.

Under HB 311, Salceda said public school students will “receive instructions in digital classrooms complete with digital boards and other digital tools and devices that will allow them to be at par with their world peers.”

It is projected that by 2025, half of today’s activities would be digital-enabled and shortly, 65% of current work skills will become obsolete due to intensified technological innovations.

The bill aims to prevent unemployment in the coming decades by introducing today’s students into the digital arena and “the skills required to leverage and upgrade their earning ability” in the near future.

“The law will equip young people at the basic education level, including those in remote communities, with information and communication technology skills that will give them equal opportunities,” explained Salceda.

HB 304, on the other hand, seeks to provide students in geographically isolated, disadvantaged and conflict-affected areas (GIDCA) access to education by providing them access roads.

“Never again should a child put his life at risk by crossing streams or taking long walks on poorly maintained roads and mountain paths, in good or bad weather, to get to school,” Salceda said.

The proposal is incorporated in the ARAL (Access Road to All Learners) bill that aims to ensure roads to all schools in all parts of the country where there are students.

Last mile schools are in far flung areas, hours away from town centers and have less than four classrooms, aside from any of the following: no electricity, with less than 100 learners, 50% or more of whom are from indigenous tribes, with makeshift rooms, and with no repairs or new projects in the last four years. There are some 8,000 last mile schools in the country.

HB 304 mandates the Departments of Education, Public Works and Highways and Budget and Management to draw up the comprehensive roadmap to provide access to these areas and close the gap in three years.