A PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Saturday disclosed the initial opening of 11 Frontrow E-skwela Hubs in various parts of the country to aid teachers and students on their concerns about the absence of access to basic essentials of the new blended learning.
Ang Probinsyano party-list Rep. Ronnie Ong, proponent of the project, said each Frontrow E-skwela Hub or e-learning center is equipped with computers for online classes, strong wi-fi connection and printers that can be used without any fee.
So far, Ong said the project has now opened ten hubs in Baguio, Manila, Pasig, Batangas, and six municipalities in Cebu.
Ong said the 11th E-skwela Hub has also opened at Sampaloc, Manila at its Manila Child Development Center building.
Before the year ends, Ong said 14 more hubs are set to open to help the government adjust into the new normal of education.
The congressman also bared that other hubs are also being readied in other places nationwide like Cagayan, Pampanga, Bohol, Surigao, and General Santos City.
“We previously urged DepEd (Department of Education) to postpone classes this year as not every learner and teacher is equipped with online gadgets and resources. While classes have just opened last October 5, we are aware that not everyone has their own gadget or wifi, or printer for modules. That is what pushed us to propose and initiate the establishment of e-learning hubs across the country and look for partners in this endeavor. We recognize the reality that not all can afford the requirements of the new normal in education. It is our way of helping teachers continue their jobs, and to avoid large drop-out rates from students,” Ong said.
These E-Skwela Hubs are equipped with computers that are connected to the internet and printing machines which can be used to printout learning modules.
Ong said further that DepEd could duplicate the E-Skwela program by creating similar partnerships with the private sector and the local government units (LGUs) for the establishment of more E-Learning centers especially in far-flung barangays.
Winners of the recently-concluded Miss Universe Philippines 2020, Miss Cavite Kimberly “Billie” Hakenson (4th Runner-up), Miss Bohol Pauline Amelinckx (3rd Runner-Up), Miss Quezon City Michele Gumabao (2nd Runner-Up), Miss Parañaque Ysabella Ysmael (1st Runner-Up), and Miss Iloilo City Rabiya Mateo (Miss Universe Philippines 2020) also attended the opening ceremony in their continuing advocacy for accessible education for all despite the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The E-skwela Hub is in partnership with the direct selling company Frontrow under their #FrontrowCares corporate social responsibility arm, and the local government chiefs of the cities and provinces involved with the help of barangay hosts or school host of the e-learning hub.
