Lapus on CyberEd project: It will make children learn better

By Maila Ager
INQUIRER.net


MANILA, Philippines -- To dispel speculations of irregularities, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus has assured lawmakers at the House of Representatives that he would furnish them a copy of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) on the P26.4 billion cyber education project (CEP).

Lapus came prepared when he appeared before the committee to defend the P146 billion budget proposal of his department for 2008.

When opposition Congressman Rufus Rodiguez threw the first question about the project, the Education czar volunteered to make a presentation so he could thoroughly explain the project.

“What will cyber education achieve? It will make our children learn better. It will make the teachers teach more effectively” Lapus said.

“They will be retrained. The principals would be able to manage schools more efficiently. The schools will be online with management, with the division, with the region, and they’ll be online like bank branches,’ he said.

With the CEP, the government could save some 60 billion pesos, including P1 billion a year from teachers training, said Lapus.

Lapus also cited the 37, 794 public schools nationwide or at least 13 million learners, who stand to benefit from the project.

After seeking some clarifications on the implementation of the project, Rodriguez requested a copy of the agreement from Lapus, who promised to furnish the committee a copy as soon as possible