Since the start of the pandemic brought by COVID-19 last year, the Quezon City government has been providing its students and teachers with school supplies, data allowances, tablets, and laptops to support them both in blended and distance learning modalities.

The city government has given public school teachers 3,210 laptops and a total of 16,378 prepaid sim cards with P1,000 monthly load allowance. In addition to this, teachers also receive monthly cash allowance from the city.

The city likewise provided free x-ray and urinalysis check-up for 16,284 teaching and non-teaching personnel in all public elementary and high schools.

“Malaki ang ginagampanang tungkulin ng ating mga guro sa pagpapanatili ng mataas na kalidad ng edukasyon lalo na ngayong panahon ng pandemya kaya sinisikap nating maibigay ang lahat ng kanilang pangangailangan, mula sa libreng check-up, gadget, at allowance,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

For the school year 2021 to 2022, elementary to high school, as well as special education (SPED) students will all receive school supplies, while students from Grade 4-12 will be provided tablets with sufficient monthly data allowance. An additional 2,383 laptops will also be distributed for teachers.

“To support our schools in printing and preparing modules and learning materials, the city has also turned-over risographs and photocopy machines to all public schools in QC,” Mayor Belmonte added.

Storybooks were also given to kindergartens so that their parents/ guardians can use them in learning how to read from their own homes.

According to outgoing Education Affairs Unit Head Aly Medalla, the city is also renovating schools in preparation for the face-to-face classes.

“Aside from the equipment and school supplies, the city is also repairing our school facilities, such as the handwashing area and comfort rooms, para kapag nagsimula na ang face-to-face classes ay handa na ang ating lungsod,” Medalla explained.

All schools were provided internet connectivity.

Further, braille embossers were also distributed to select public high schools with special program for blind students as part of the city’s initiative for an inclusive education.

Eighty-four visually impaired learners from Commonwealth Elementary School, Batino Elementary School, San Vicente Elementary School, Rosa L. Susano Elementary School and Quirino High School have benefitted from these devices.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City Government’s Entrepreneurship and Training Centers has provided training to 1,515 QCitizens to expand their knowledge and skills for broader employment and business opportunities.

The courses include Cookery, Bread and Pastry Production, Computer Systems Servicing, Electronic Product Assembly Servicing, Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Automotive Servicing, Food and Beverage Services, Massage Therapy, Hilot Wellness Massage, Housekeeping, Smartphone Repair, Dressmaking Beauty Care, Hairdressing and Basic Computer Literacy.

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