A GROUP of high school students denounced the Department of Education for the deficiencies in its Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan funds found by state auditors.

Lance Avery Alo, executive vice-chairperson of National Union of Students of the Philippines-High School, slammed the DepEd’s “poor handling” of its budget.

“Ang mga deficiencies sa management ng funds ng DepEd ay napakasahol sa harap ng pagtitiis ng mga estudyante at guro sa ilalim ng distance learning,” Alo said.

“Maraming kabataang Pilipino sana ang nakinabang kung naging mas mainam at maayos lang ang naging proseso sa paggamit ng mga pondong inilaan para sa implementation ng distance learning,” he added.

In its annual report, the Commission on Audit questioned DepEd’s spending of P8.136 billion Covid19 funds provided under the Bayanihan 1 and 2.

COA noted alleged lapses in budget utilization, flawed or delayed procurement and delivery of self-learning modules and the non-compliance with Republic Act 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

DepEd, however, maintained the deficiencies cited by COA were identified as recording errors. It added that these are being rectified by the agency in accordance with the recommendations.

For Alo, the billions of funds spent for distance learning could have been used to meet the requisites for safe and gradual return to schools.

“Naging dagdag pasanin at gastusin ang naging handog ng distance learning para sa aming mga mag-aaral. Mismong mga magulang pa ang nagpi-print o photocopy ng mga modules dulot ng kakulangan ng supplies at mahinang process sa assessment nito. Kung mayroon man, marami ring mga errors at karaniwa’y poor quality din ang printing,” Alo said.

“Should the government be keen on continuing distance learning for the next school year, they must ensure students have access to gadgets, stable internet connection, and other learning essentials,” he added.

Alo said that the report shows “injustice to the millions of struggling Filipino students.”

“We call on student councils, education advocates, and the rest of the education community to ensure that DepEd does not get away with it. We cannot allow this, especially as we are clearly heading towards another year of distance learning,” he said.