Connectivity key to ensure learning continuity amid typhoons, DepEd told

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MANILA, Philippines — The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) stressed to the Department of Education that connectivity remains vital in ensuring learning continuity of students amid typhoons.

In a statement on Wednesday, DepEd announced it met with Unicef on November 13, during which the organization enjoined the department to enter its Giga initiative, a project with the International Telecommunications Union to connect schools to the internet.

The emphasis comes after a series of typhoons barreled down the country in the past month, prompting schools to cancel classes.

DepEd previously reported that due to natural calamities, in the current academic year, schools in the Cordillera Administrative Region recorded 35 class disruptions; while the Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon and Central Luzon regions each had 29.

READ: DepEd working to address learning gaps due to storm-disrupted classes

The department added that during their meeting last week, Education Secretary Sonny Angara sought help from Unicef to roll out new technology for teacher assessments in schools and field offices.

DepEd and Unicef also discussed joint education interventions under the department’s Five-Point Agenda and Basic Education Development Plan 2030 to support early childhood education, foundational academic skills and out-of-school youth.

Sulu transition

Angara’s meeting with Unicef additionally touched on bringing the province of Sulu back into DepEd’s supervision.

READ: SC upholds Bangsamoro Organic Law but says Sulu not part of BARMM

Sulu’s return to DepEd’s purview comes after the Supreme Court declared the province not a part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao last September.