P9 billion allotted for printing of learning modules

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has allotted P9 billion for the printing of learning modules to be used by students for school year 2020-2021.

Education Undersecretary for finance Annalyn Sevilla said they have already downloaded the budget to the division offices ahead of the scheduled opening of classes on Aug. 24.

Given the budget from the government, she said teachers are not required to raise money for printing of modules.

“If done in the spirit of Brigada Eskwela, it should be through voluntary contribution and never as compulsory. We have Brigada Eskwela and there are protocols and guidelines/procedures,” she added.

Brigada Eskwela is the annual initiative of the agency to harness support to prepare for the school year, such as in physical cleaning, painting, repainting and doing minor repairs in schools.

With physical restrictions for the upcoming school year, DepEd said the current Brigada Eskwela focuses on preparations and strengthening partnership engagement to ensure that learning continues even with the pandemic.

According to Sevilla, actual contributions from Brigada Eskwela and the special education fund of local government units would be considered in the provision of funds to cover learning resources.

“Hence, the calibration and prioritization of funds are given at the regional and division levels as they are on the ground and have more accurate data in terms of actual enrollment and actual external contributions,” she added.

DepEd last week released the guidelines for the printing of learning materials for the upcoming school year.

According to DepEd, the ready-to-print digital copies of the self-learning modules have been made available in an online folder created by the agency’s information and communications technology service.

“Unauthorized printing, uploading and conducting activities involving sharing of digital files other than the intended purpose are strictly prohibited and shall be grounds for imposition of administrative and other sanctions,” read the policy.

“For efficient use of funds and to facilitate timely delivery of the printed self-learning materials for the first quarter, the schools division offices (SDO) primarily, or schools as authorized jointly by regional offices and SDOs, shall set the print run based on the quantity needed and deliver these immediately to schools,” it added.

In addition to printing and delivery of learning modules, DepEd said the fund may also be used for other expenses such as supplies for the development of video and radio scripts and lessons, conversion of materials into accessible format and development of interactive materials.

Purchase of capital outlay items such as equipment, gadgets, software or any item costing P15,000 and above per unit is not allowed.

“In case the downloaded fund is not sufficient to address the actual needs for the purpose, the SDOs may provide additional fund support from their regular… maintenance and other operating expenses allotment,” said DepEd.