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Japan Hands Over More Than 3,500 Tablets, 21 Wi-Fi Sets to Philippines' DepEd

MANILA – As a supporting mechanism for the Department of Education’s Last Mile Schools Program, Japan officially handed over more than 3,500 android tablets and 21 Wi-Fi local area network (LAN) sets with solar-powered batteries to the Philippines.

The education technology (edtech) equipment will benefit schools in Abra, Kalinga, Bohol, and Zamboanga Sibugay.

In his remarks, Japanese Economic Affairs Minister Masahiro Nakata commended the continuous efforts of DepEd in addressing the urgent issues concerning the education system in the Philippines, which was greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and reassured Japan’s commitment to assist Filipino students and teachers to the best of its ability.

“The education sector has been one of the top priorities of our bilateral official development assistance (ODA) and our collaboration with multilateral donors such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB),” he said.

Nakata also cited that the two countries share the same belief in education as the foundation of nation-building thus making education accessible to all is a must. Through the donation made, he expressed his hope to effectively help DepEd address the inequalities in the education system, pre- and post-pandemic.

The handover ceremony was hosted by the ADB through Alain Morel, Principal Country Specialist, and was attended by DepEd representatives, partner organizations, among others.

The technical assistance was procured under the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR).

DepEd’s Last Mile Schools Program aims to address gaps in geographically isolated and disadvantaged and conflict-affected areas (GIDCA) in the Philippines. - FJJ

(Photo courtesy of Japan Embassy, Manila)