THE DEPARTMENT of Education continues to build up its Public Education Network by distributing e-learning gadgets to learners and teachers in various regions.

During the EduAksyon sa Norte virtual visit on April 29, the department turned over 2,972 smartphones and 82 laptops to selected learners and teachers from Regions 1, 2, 3, and Cordillera Administrative Region.

“[Ang mga inisiyatibong] ito ay paghahanda nating lahat sa tinatawag nating Public Education Network na kung saan ang lahat ng eskwelahan, lahat ng nga opisina ng DepEd ay iko-connect natin sa pamamagitan ng iba’t ibang mga teknolohiya,” Education Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua said.

PEN aims to fast track the digital connectivity of all public schools and DepEd offices nationwide. It allows learners to have wider access to DepEd TV, DepEd Commons, and other learning platforms.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones highlighted the transition of the education sector to technology.

“I keep on saying that with or without the Covid19 pandemic, we are already moving towards technology. It is not something that is isolated from the rest of the country and the rest of the world. All other agencies are moving towards the use of technology for various reasons,” Briones said.

“Our priorities are very clear. We have to give priority to the Last Mile Schools, to the schools which are in the greatest need of these gadgets,” she added.

The DepEd partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to strengthen education delivery through broadcast, connectivity, and digital security via the PEN program.