Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday bewailed the government’s failure to improve internet connectivity in the country, saying it has greatly affected the needed progress of remote learning and work-from-home setup.
“As long as the internet signal is not good here, we will not be able to do remote learning via the internet. The internet signal must reach all our students no matter where they are in the country so that no one will be left behind,” Marcos said.
Aside from improving online connectivity, Marcos is also pushing for free internet connection for students under the Department of Education’s blended learning system.
Based on a survey conducted by DepEd itself, some 6.9 million parents and guardians said that having a stable mobile/internet connection is a challenge for them in addition to the lack of available gadgets and equipment for their children’s distance education.
Respondents also lamented they do not have the capability to buy gadgets or even load for online classes.
“The DepEd must immediately address the problem that is becoming an obstacle to the progress of the blended learning system in the country,” he said.
Marcos also challenged the country’s telecommunications companies to improve their internet services.
“The telcos should step up. It’s now in the hands of our telcos to step up and to make sure that connectivity is available to all of our students. We have to use all tools available and I’m looking at the experience of our parents and students and I’ve seen firsthand that connectivity is indeed a big problem,” he said.