HB02675: ONE TABLET, ONE STUDENT ACT OF 2022
This bill aims to address the significant socio-economic divide exposed by the shift to digital and blended learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing that many students, particularly the estimated 27 million elementary and high school students and 1.6 million State Universities and Colleges enrollees, lack access to essential learning gadgets and stable internet, the bill proposes to institutionalize a program providing tablets or similar devices to public school students. For those who already own a device, the bill ensures assistance in the form of internet allowance to cover connectivity costs. This initiative is crucial for ensuring equitable access to quality education, aligning with the constitutional mandate to protect and promote the right to education at all levels and to recognize science and technology for national development.
The impact and significance of this bill on the Filipino people are profound, as it directly tackles a major barrier to education for millions. By providing necessary learning tools and internet access, the "One Tablet, One Student" program seeks to bridge the gap in educational opportunities, preventing a repeat of the rise in out-of-school youth observed during the pandemic due to financial constraints. The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) are tasked with developing a comprehensive system for eligibility, procurement, distribution, usage, and accountability, with an initial appropriation of Two Hundred Billion Pesos (Php200,000,000,000.00). This demonstrates a significant commitment to empowering students to participate effectively in modern learning environments, ultimately fostering national development and progress through a more educated populace.