TEXTBOOK. The Department of Education officials, led by Undersecretary Gina Gonong, attends a meeting with Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) at the University of the Philippines at BGC, Taguig City on Thursday (Feb. 22, 2024). The ongoing textbook procurement and the newly launched Catch-up Fridays were discussed. (Photo courtesy by EDCOM 2)
DT | DepEd promises EDCOM that textbooks will be sent on time | MANILA – By July of this year, the Department of Education (DepEd) has promised to send 80% of textbooks for Grades 1, 4, and 7.
During a meeting with the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) on Thursday at the University of the Philippines in Taguig City, the Department promised to do this.
Representatives from the DepEd said that the award for winning bids on textbooks would be sent out by March and the Notice to Proceed would be sent out by April, which would mean that printing could begin.
Director of the DepEd Bureau of Learning Resources Ariz Cawilan promised, “By July, we’ll have about 80% of textbooks [for Grades 1, 4, and 7].”
In her Basic Education Report 2024, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said that students will be able to use both standard textbooks and electronic textbooks.
According to Duterte, they have talked to different companies about making it easier to get e-books and use digital technology.
“In the procurement of textbooks for the MATATAG K-10 Curriculum, we will require the winning bidder to provide us with electronic copies that learners may access anytime, anywhere,” she explained.
One of the things that EDCOM 2 found in its Year One Report was that since 2012, only 27 texts have been bought for Grades 1 through 10.
“Specifically, since the K–12 curriculum was put in place, only textbooks for Grades 5 and 6 have been successfully obtained,” the report said.
According to EDCOM 2, DepEd needs to make sure that textbooks are ordered on time for the next school year. They also suggested that the agency look into buying books that are already on the market instead of asking authors to make new ones. (via PNA)
