At least P5 billion was earmarked for the construction of three modern public schools, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said on Sunday.
Under the city government’s educational plan, he said about P2 billion was allotted to the Dr. Alejandro Albert Elementary School, P1.9 billion to Rosauro Almario Elementary School, and P1.3 billion to the Manila Science High School.
The plan was on top of the efforts to support the blended/distance learning modalities being implemented in the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We will take our adversity in our advantage. We will prepare for the next 10-15 years of population growth because it was high time that these facilities were utilized,” said Domagoso.
The Manila mayor assured they will invest for the future of the children to ensure they will enjoy better public school building.
He also related that 137,217 tablets with SIM cards were distributed to public school students from Kinder to Senior High School. About 11,000 laptops were given to public school teachers last year.
In preparation for the next school year, Domagoso approved the procurement of the 60,820 additional tablets for newly-enrolled public school students.
The local government has also set aside P120,600,000 worth of internet data to be used for four months by 201,000 K-12 students, and about P5 million for teachers’ training.
In anticipation of an increase in enrolment in Manila’s public schools, Domagoso said a P60,532,256.37 standby fund was secured by the local government, “Covid worsened the digital deficit. And the divide is no longer between the Haves and the Have Nots but the Knows and the Don’t Knows,” said Domagoso.
“We will not allow the “Batang Maynila” to be included in the “Lost Generation,” the Covid Class of 2020, 2021, 2022,” he added.
Domagoso emphasized that education should remain open for every student most especially in this time of the pandemic.
“Manila remains the education capital of the Philippines. As we believe in ‘Education for All’, Manila schools are open to children wherever they live,” Domagoso said.
“This is so because admission should not be based on a learner’s postal Zip code. For as long as a student has the zeal to learn, he/she can enrol in Manila,” he added.
