A TEACHERS’ group called on the government to provide laptops and free internet which it said are crucial tools to educate students.

“Laptop computers and the internet are necessary for our everyday teaching. Everything we use in teaching is almost digital, so those who don’t have a laptop will be left behind. But with the average teacher’s low salary, it is not really easy to buy a good laptop,” Benjo Basas, national chairperson of the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition, said.

“These should be provided free by the government, along with other materials for the teaching and learning process. We cannot ask our security forces – the police and the military to buy their own guns to use against criminals or avail of firearms loan,” Basas added.

He issued the statement following the findings of the Commission on Audit that the Department of Education purchased outdated and overpriced laptops for teachers.

The audit team said more than 39,000 laptops were purchased at P58,000 per unit or a total cost of P2.4 billion. COA said that more laptops could have been bought if the gadgets were not overpriced.

“It is sad and even revolting that there are such controversies. While our teachers are forced to take loans to buy their own laptops, it hurts to know that the government has funds that end up buying overpriced and outdated laptops that cannot be used in teaching,” Basas said.