SOLID NORTH PL CALLS FOR LGU SUPPORT TO STUDENTS AMID ONLINE SHIFT

A lawmaker urged local government units to provide support to students who encounter difficulties in meeting class requirements due to lack of access to digital resources.

This after the Commission on Higher Education allowed higher education institutions to shift fully to online classes amid the ongoing oil crisis.

“Sadly, due to the oil crisis we seem to have reverted to ‘pandemic mode’ with the shift to online classes. But that shouldn’t mean that inequities and gaps that were observed during the pandemic should continue to exist. Dapat matugunan ito,” Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos said.

“In this regard, I hope that our LGUs can also provide support to students who lack resources to ensure that they are not left behind in their studies. Kailangan natin bantayan ito. This national crisis must not become an education crisis.”

Bernos said that during the pandemic, various interventions by LGUs have helped students cope with the shift to online learning.

She cited the establishment of free wifi hubs, internet voucher systems and subsidies, and distribution of tablets, cellphones, and laptops as among the key interventions that various LGUs had implemented that had a positive impact on online learning.

“I believe that once again, our LGUs can be instrumental in ensuring that the educational crisis we are facing does not deepen further,” said Bernos.

Earlier, the lawmaker also called on local governments to explore service contracting agreements in public transport for the benefit of commuters.