LEARNERS and select schools in Northern Luzon received gadgets from the Department of Education to be used in the implementation of blended learning.

From June 8 to 12, the DepEd distributed tools to strengthen blended learning in remote areas.

The e-learning gadgets were given to schools in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

“We need to utilize and maximize the advantage of having these kinds of technology in making our basic education more inclusive to the learners, especially those who are in Last-Mile Schools,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

I hope that the schools will utilize these e-learning gadgets properly for the betterment of our distance learning and, of course, that these will be taken care of so that other learners and teachers will be able to use it in the next few years,” the DepEd chief added.

Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua, in cooperation with Google Philippines, led the delivery of Google Chromebooks in the Schools Division of Olongapo City and Tarlac Province.

“Handog natin ang mga e-learning gadgets para sa mga learners at teachers natin under the online learning modality. Isa rin ito sa ating pamamaraan upang maisakatuparan ang pagbuo ng Public Education Network na makatutulong sa atin upang magkaroon ng makabagong edukasyon,” Pascua said.

Meanwhile, Last Mile schools in the Ilocos Region received 1,218 smartphones and 34 laptops for their learners and teachers, while Cagayan Valley obtained 727 smartphones and 18 laptops.

The Division Supreme Student Government and Supreme Pupil Government Presidents and teacher-advisers from Region II and CAR also accepted 68 e-learning gadgets to strengthen their initiatives in helping their co-learners.

Meanwhile, the DepEd Central Office Monitoring Team checked the situation and condition of different Gabaldon School buildings in Northern Luzon as part of the provisions of Republic Act 11194 or the Gabaldon Conservation Act.

Pascua said that along with the restoration of the historic architecture of the Gabaldon facilities, the program will address the issues and problems related to the lack of classrooms in the country.