THE DEPARTMENT of Education in Region 12 provided tablets to 2,000 students in South Cotabato to help them in distance learning.

The DepEd-12 found that only 16 percent of elementary students and 42 percent of secondary students in the region possessed gadgets that can be used for online learning.

Students will also receive teaching materials to aid them in using the devices and in their studies.

South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said one of the top priorities of the province is education.

The P17-million budget for the project came from the P52-million education fund of the provincial government.