THE US Agency for International Development turned over 100 school-in-a-bag kits valued at P10.4 million to the Department of Education.

The agency donated laptop computers, tablets and pocket wifi that will be distributed to schools in various regions.

The DepEd will give the kits to schools in Bicol, Western Visayas, Maguindanao, Cotabato Special Geographic Area, Cotabato City and other schools associated with USAID’s remote learning initiative.

“Through the Smart School-in-a-Bag initiative, we will be able to advance digital literacy amid and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in remote areas that lack access to technology,” USAID Philippines Acting Deputy Mission Director Brandon Miller said.

DepEd Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio thanked USAID for the donation.

“We thank our partners, USAID, Smart Communications, and PBSP for this undertaking. Truly, bayanihan is very much alive in DepEd even as we face very difficult challenges to make sure that learning will continue,” he said.

“We recognize the value of harnessing the generosity of our partners and stakeholders in improving learning outcomes of our learners, especially in Last Mile Schools,” he added.