We students who have television and internet connection at home know how helpful these media can be in our studies. Education Secretary Jesli A. Lapus plans to use this technology to improve teaching and learning in public schools through the proposed Cyber Education (Cyber Ed) Project.
The Cyber Education Project will use satellite technology to stream teacher training modules and lectures for students to public schools even in far-flung areas. The project, which will reportedly cost P26.48 Billion over five years, will link about 37,794 schools (90% of total public schools) to a nationwide network that will provide 12 video channels and wireless internet connections. Cyber Ed will use the technology also used in our neighbors like Thailand, Indonesia and China, and even in more advanced countries like Canada and the United States. When Secretary Lapus appeared before Congress to defend the DepEd budget, he said that Cyber Ed will make our students better and will help our teachers be more efficient.
The project’s objectives are praiseworthy. However, many criticisms have been raised against it. Some say that the price is too much. Others say that we should use these funds to fix basic problems first, by having more classrooms, teachers and textbooks.
Cyber Education is a good idea, but the cost seems too much and the fear of corruption is still present. Because of controversies in government projects, the government has lost the trust of the people and they should work hard to gain it back to get support for projects like Cyber Ed.
*Bianca is a grade five student at St. Bridget College in Batangas City. She is news editor of her school paper Beaconette.
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