EDUCATION Secretary Sonny Angara personally handed 15 laptops and more than 100 school bags to teachers and students in Pag-asa island, the largest island in the Kalayaan Group of Island, during a visit last Sunday.
It was the first visit by a DepEd chief to the remote island, the center of the ongoing tension between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea.
Angara also handed 43 footballs and 109 school bags filled with essential supplies to the students during his visit.
“With this technology, we hope to lighten the workload of our teachers and unlock the potential of our learners. President Bongbong Marcos has directed us to harness modern tools to strengthen education and uplift the future of our youth,” Angara said in a statement yesterday.
Angara and other key DepEd officials also held consultations with teachers, parents, and local leaders to address challenges in delivering education in the area.
Discussions also covered potential solutions to improve the island’s living conditions, including housing initiatives and transportation services for residents.
“This mission embodies our dedication to ensuring that no Filipino learner is left behind. The government is committed to developing even the most isolated areas, ensuring access to education, services, and security for all,” Angara added.
From an initial complement of two teachers, the Pag- asa Integrated School in the municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan now has a complete set of teachers from kindergarten to junior high school, the DepEd said.
The school’s 83 students from Kindergarten to Grade 10 this year are using two classrooms.
With a land area of 32.7 hectares, Pag-asa is the biggest island in the Kalayaan Island Group.
