THE DEPARTMENT of Education has trained more than 500,000 teachers and personnel during the second edition of the Virtual In-Service Training launched on Monday.

For the first two days, the event had 517,812 participants, surpassing the attendees of the first in-service training last March.

The training focused on capacitating teachers to use different online learning modalities, including DepEd Learning Management System, DepEd Commons, DepEd TV, and DepEd Radio.

To run until Friday, September 3, the week-long virtual training offers guided programs and international skill certifications by Microsoft, Adobe, and Google.

“The opening of School Year 2021-2022 is fast approaching. As we prepare our plans and programs for the upcoming school year, we also want to prepare our teachers and school heads through these upskilling activities,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

The training sessions can help educators maximize and handle the property and technology tools in delivering online education and ensure that the platforms will be child-friendly. The program will also assist the participants in utilizing emerging technology tools and applications to maximize the use of the cross-platform operating system.

Undersecretary for Administration Alain Pascua said that the second VINSET reached more participants because of the recent SIM card distribution.

“This is a testament of you, our public school teachers, your passion, commitment, and dedication to your chosen profession, your advocacy to educate our nation’s youth… Kaya nararapat lamang na bigyan kayo ng tamang suporta at serbisyo upang patuloy nating maihatid ang dekalidad na edukasyon sa ating mag-aaral,” he said.

Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado San Antonio said that the training will make teachers more skillful “in navigating the education technology so that we can create more interesting lessons for the children.”