Sen Gatchalian: Continue module distribution, protect teachers amid new COVID variant

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian stated that the education sector must continue distributing self-learning modules and ensure the protection of teachers due to the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant which has postponed the dry run of face-to-face classes.

Gatchalian emphasized the need for continuous distribution of modules and access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing for teachers to safeguard them from COVID-19.

He assured that the 2021 budget is sufficient to meet the educational needs of learners amidst the ongoing pandemic.

The education sector received the largest share of the P4.5 trillion national budget for 2021, amounting to P708.2 billion.

Approximately P16 billion of the budget is allocated for the production of self-learning modules, and P6 billion is designated for computerization.

A significant portion of the Department of Education's budget is also earmarked for the Alternative Learning System (ALS) to reach over two million learners who did not enroll.