Marcos eyes full internet connectivity in public schools by year-end

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. aims to achieve full connectivity by the end of the year to boost internet access in all public schools, a significant turning point for the push for digital transformation in Philippine education, including those in remote and underserved areas.

Marcos made the pronouncement on January 19 during his visit to Flora A. Ylagan High School in Diliman, Quezon City, to lead the Department of Education and the Department of Information and Communications Technology's school connectivity drive.

During his visit, the President entered a Grade 11 classroom and interacted with students, followed by a virtual dialogue with educators and learners from such geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) as Batanes, Marinduque, Cebu, Tawi-Tawi, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, and Apayao.

“Kailangan connected lalung-lalo na ang mga school kaya’t mabuti nagkakaroon at dumarami na yung school natin na connected na. Kaya ipagpapatuloy natin yang programang ‘yan,” Marcos told teachers and school officials during the teleconference.

The teachers expressed gratitude for the new Starlink-powered connectivity and electricity projects, saying they enable students to research and attend virtual classes even during typhoons and disruptions.

“We are working toward 100 percent connectivity by the end of the year,” the President said.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara, who joined the teleconference from an Indigenous Peoples school in Agusan del Norte, noted that students from the Higaonon tribe received a power connection during the opening of classes on June 16.

“They got their electricity first (on) Monday, thanks to the quick work of NEA (National Electrification Administration) and DOE (Department of Energy),” Angara uttered.

Agusan del Norte Governor Angel Amante added that better Internet and electricity have regularly inspired learners to attend classes.

The connectivity drive seeks to bridge the digital divide in public schools by increasing internet connectivity.