THE Department of Education (DepEd) Baguio has set a goal of three years to achieve city-wide implementation of virtual learning in Baguio’s various schools.
“The division (DepEd) would like to put forth a city-wide initiative with directives from the regional office ensuring that within three years, all schools will be implementing a form of online learning; therefore, strengthening the Smart Learning Communities,” DepEd Baguio Schools Division Superintendent Soraya Faculo said.
Under the program, the DepEd projects a minimum cost of P11.3 million to capacitate teachers and fortify the digital infrastructure established during the time of purely distance learning at the height of COVID-19.
DepEd Cordillera Regional Director Estela Cariño said that the program will solve one of the identified problems in Baguio on inadequate classrooms, as well as the lack of buildable spaces for more classrooms.
DepEd Baguio figures indicate that as many as 60 students share the same classrooms in packed Baguio schools, where standards set by the DepEd peg the optimal density of a classroom at only 35 students per room.
“The only solution we see is the institutionalization of online learning through virtual classrooms but this will need support from the local government unit,” Cariño said.
