By Lily O. Ramos
MANILA, July 31 (PNA) — The Department of Education (DepEd) launched on Friday its nationwide “LightEd PH Campaign” to light up schools and homes and make school children’s study at night more convenient and conducive for quality learning.
The launch was held at the Bulwagang Karunungan at the DepEd headquarters in Pasig City in partnership with several other government agencies and private entities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Department of Energy (DOE), National Electrification Administration (NEA), Don Andres Soriano Foundation and Meralco, among others.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro said that the “LightEd Campaign” is meant to provide solutions to schools and homes that have no power through conventional and alternative use of energy.
Luistro said that as of school year 2013-2914, there were 5,954 schools countrywide that were either unenergized or were remote and off-grid areas where at least 1,101,051 pupils and students whose access to technology, enhanced instructional methods and more engaging learning activities were limited.
“Don’t let darkness hinder any Filipino child from education he or she deserves,” he added.
For his part, DepEd Undersecretary for Partnership and External Linkages Mario A. Deriquito, said, “The health of these students is also at risk due to the use of kerosene lamps that emit harmful fumes but is the only means for them to study at night.”
Under “LightEd PH,” the DepEd will implement the “One Child, One Lamp” program in partnership with Children’s Hour and PBSP to raise funds for solar lamps that will be distributed to pupils/students in far-flung areas or where off-grid public schools are located.
DepEd has also partnered with Global Peace Foundation, Thrive Solar Energy Philippines, Stiftung Solarenergie and other organizations to provide mini-solar LED lamps that can be used up to 10 hours after three to four hours of charging during the day.
At a cost of PhP400 each, these solar lamps are also water- and shock-proof resistant, produce white light that is better than that of kerosene lamp and do not emit harmful gas or fume.
Once they reach the beneficiary schools, these solar lamps will be lent to students in a manner similar to that of lending library books in order to ensure proper usage and maintenance.
Luistro said the public is encouraged to help DepEd by funding or donations to acquire the solar lamps, logistic assistance to distribute the lamps to the different sites, volunteering to train beneficiary schools in the usage and maintenance of solar lamps and spreading awareness on the campaign to increase support.
Donors may donate or give a solar lamp to one child or give up an equivalent of one hour of their salary through the Children’s Hour Philippines.
A company can donate an equivalent amount to match employees’ donations or the equivalent profits or earnings of an hour of business or trade.
In collaboration with the DOE and private power or energy corporations, DepEd will furnish off-grid schools with solar energy sets and solar panels to serve as stand-alone and self-sustaining technology system to power the school.
For on-grid schools or places that have been already reached by electricity but has continued to be unenergized, DepEd said it is cooperating with the NEA to encourage local electric cooperatives to extend power lines to the service drop near the school premises.
Once energized, the schools will be provided by DepEd with information and communication technology (ICT) packages, including computers, laptops, speakers and projectors.
Interested donors may contact the DepEd’s Office of the Undersecretary for Partnership and External Linkages (OUPEL) at (02) 633-7207 and 633-5313 for details. (PNA)